Dried Beans, Chickpeas, and Lentils

If legumes are prepared in the right way, they display a wonderful spectrum of textures, ranging from hard, crisp, crunchy, and tough to soft, creamy, and mealy. And, of course, they are also an important source of vegetable protein that contains an abundance of the essential amino acids and have a combined protein content that can be up to three times greater than that in cereal grains, such as wheat and rice. In addition, they contain significant amounts of soluble fiber, carbohydrates, and dietary minerals.