This post was made in collaboration with Frontier Co-op. All opinions are my own. Thank you for supporting the brands that support Well and Full!
I’m so excited to bring today’s post to you, not only because it involves spices (my most favorite things on the planet, besides cookbooks), but also because it’s part of an amazing campaign by Frontier Co-op about cooking with purpose.
Honestly, when I cook, my main inspiration isn’t the food or the ingredient – although I do get inspired by these things – but it’s the people I cook for. When I make a recipe for someone else, it always comes out better than when I just cook it for myself. And it makes me wonder if cooking with purpose really does change the way food tastes.
Have you ever heard of scientist Masaru Emoto’s experiments with water crystals? Basically, he sent positive and negative thoughts to water droplets as they were freezing – things like “You’re beautiful” or “I hate you” – to see what sort of shapes they would develop as crystals. It turned out that the water which received positive thoughts formed into symmetrical, aesthetic crystals, while the water which received negative thoughts were misshapen and deformed. Now, since these experiments were performed, there has been a lot of criticism as to Emoto’s approach and scientific method. HOWEVER, that isn’t to say that there’s not a grain of truth in these results. Over 1,900 people sent thoughts to water droplets in Emoto’s experiment, and the results were universally consistent with the trends mentioned above. So what if thoughts and intentions really do change the physical structure of matter?
If so, it would explain a lot. It would explain why some of the best songs ever written are love songs. It would explain why a thoughtful, handwritten note could mean so much to someone. It would explain why the scarf your Grandma knit for you is so much fuzzier and cozier than all your other scarves. And, it would explain why food cooked with love – cooked with purpose – tastes so much better.
I made these turmeric-spiced chickpeas and lime couscous with one of my very best friends, who you might have seen in my nomcasts every once in a while. I’ve said before that my favorite people to cook for are my friends, and this was no exception. It actually turned out to be one of my most favorite things I’ve ever made.
So today, I invite you to Cook with Purpose – to gather up your friends, family, significant other, whoever – and cook for them with love. No matter what you make, it will taste amazing – I promise.
A few notes about the recipe – This recipe features Frontier Co-op’s organic, fair-trade turmeric and black pepper (two of my favorite spices). The turmeric comes from Sri Lanka, grown on a small farming cooperative. I’m proud to say that Frontier Co-op provided this collective with a $25,000 grant to build an organic training center, where the farmers can learn about sustainable farming practices. Which begs the question – does farming with purpose produce a superior product? I would argue that it does.

Turmeric Chickpeas w/ Lime Couscous
Ingredients
Turmeric Chickpeas
- 1 15- oz Can Chickpeas or 1 1/2 Cups
- Generous Drizzle of Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 1/2 Tsp Turmeric
- 1/2 Tsp Black Pepper
- 1/2 Tsp Paprika
- 1/4 Tsp Coriander
- 1/4 Tsp Salt
- 1/4 Tsp Cumin
- Pinch of Cayenne optional
Lime Couscous
- 1 Cup Pearl Couscous
- Water for Cooking
- 2 Small Cloves Garlic minced
- Juice from 1/2 a Lime
- Zest from 1/2 a Lime
- Scant 1/4 Tsp Salt
- 1/4 Tsp Black Pepper
- Sprinkle of Coriander
To Garnish
- Fresh Sprouts
- More Black Pepper
Instructions
Turmeric Chickpeas
- Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
- In a bowl, mix chickpeas, olive oil, and spices, until all chickpeas are evenly coated.
- On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, bake chickpeas for 20-25 minutes, or until slightly browned, stirring halfway.
- When done, set aside to cool.
Lime Couscous
- Bring 3-4 cups water to boil in a pot (the exact amount doesn't matter - you'll cook the pearl couscous like pasta.)
- Once water is boiling, add in pearl couscous. Cook for the amount of time as written on package.
- When couscous is al dente, remove from heat and strain out water.
- Pour the couscous into a large bowl. Add in minced garlic, lime juice, lime zest, salt, pepper, and coriander. Mix well. Taste for balance, and adjust if necessary. (I added more black pepper).
Putting It All Together
- On plates or bowls, scoop out a layer of the couscous. Then, add as many chickpeas on top as you like. Top with sprouts and garnish with more black pepper (if desired).
- Serve and enjoy!
Quote of the Day:
What you think, you become.
What you feel, you attract.
What you imagine, you create.
– Buddha
31 Comments
Mary
December 8, 2016 at 12:23 pmI have a book all about Masaru Emoto’s experiment with water crystals; it has been powerful and impactful in my life. Cooking with a purpose makes everything taste that much better. I make sure not to cook when I’m mad; I put love in my recipes, and you can feel it. I think I’m addicted to chickpeas. I can eat an entire can in one sitting; they are the best thing since sliced bread to me. I’m going to try this recipe tonight for dinner.
Sarah
December 8, 2016 at 2:11 pmI’m a fellow chickpea addict!! So many of my recipes have roasted chickpeas in them hehe! I hope you like the recipe, Mary :)
Rachel
December 8, 2016 at 1:34 pmWow Sarah, this gave me goosebumps! So beautifully written! And thanks for yet more evening meal inspiration, your site is my go-to when I need a simple but yummy dinner, it looks like such a lovely mix of flavours and textures, and what gorgeous photos too :)
Sarah
December 8, 2016 at 2:12 pmAww thank you so much Rachel! I’m glad you liked the post :)
Elizabeth Johnson
December 8, 2016 at 3:06 pmI completely agree that when there is purpose or meaning behind something it can change to seem better or more meaningful. Beautiful photography by the way! Just found your blog, love it!
Sarah
December 8, 2016 at 5:55 pmThank you so much Elizabeth! I’m so glad you stopped by :)
Gena
December 9, 2016 at 6:49 amI love pearl couscous! A totally underutilized pasta/grain, and I’m so happy to see it in this vibrant, simple, yummy dish. Great recipe, Sara :-)
Sarah
December 9, 2016 at 8:55 amThank you Gena!! :)
Karlie
December 9, 2016 at 9:52 amSo beautifully written! We don’t even realize how much power we have sometimes. I really love the combination of spices you used here, thanks for sharing <3
Sarah
December 9, 2016 at 12:44 pmThanks so much, Karlie :)
Jana/Nutritionicity.com
December 9, 2016 at 7:49 pmSarah, I learned something new today. I had never heard of Emoto’s experiment. I love that and I love “cook with purpose” somehow that phrase gives it all purpose! :)
Sarah
December 10, 2016 at 9:00 amI’m so glad you liked the post, Jana! I was really excited to share the water crystal experiment with you all :)
Veronika
December 10, 2016 at 5:03 amI totally agree! And I love that water crystal experiment! I’ve always found it super interesting. It’s no surprise that positivity and love changes everything to the better :)
Sarah
December 10, 2016 at 8:58 amIsn’t it fascinating? Positivity can change our physical world just by focusing our intentions. :)
Sabrina @ Familynano
December 10, 2016 at 3:32 pmThese look amazing! I am excited to give them a try.
Thanks Sarah
Sarah
December 10, 2016 at 5:29 pmI hope you like the recipe, Sabrina! :)
Lauren @ Lauren Caris Cooks
December 11, 2016 at 6:45 amThis looks AMAZING Sarah!! I love the idea of turmeric and lime, I bet it tastes so fresh. Roasted chickpeas are also one of my faves!
Sarah
December 11, 2016 at 8:36 amThank you Lauren!! :D
Weekend Reading, 12.11.16 | The Full Helping
December 11, 2016 at 6:09 pm[…] of grounding, wintery bowls, I’m loving Sarah’s turmeric chickpeas with lime couscous. I don’t use pearl couscous often enough, but I do love its texture and chew, and this […]
traci | Vanilla And Bean
December 12, 2016 at 9:07 amAbsolutely delicious work, Sarah. And it’s true. Cooking is not just about what what we put in our bellies to fill the hunger. It’s about the care and love that goes into every bite. How/where the food was made and nurtured… the care and love that goes into planning and preparing a meal. The thought. No doubt Frontier turmeric is a favorite here too. Beautifully done my dear!
Sarah
December 12, 2016 at 11:42 amI couldn’t agree more, Traci :) I loved your work with the Frontier spices as well! :) Thanks lovely lady <3
Sonja {Dagmar's Kitchen}
December 12, 2016 at 9:32 amThis looks and sounds amazing!! Can’t wait to try it!!
Sarah
December 12, 2016 at 11:41 amThanks Sonja!! :)
Nicole @ Young, Broke and Hungry
December 12, 2016 at 1:12 pmCooking with purpose is so important in this day and age where we sometimes loose sight in the hustle and bustle of busyness. Turmeric is being used daily in my house and I can’t wait to throw it into this dish as well.
Sarah
December 12, 2016 at 2:25 pmI completely agree, Nicole. It’s so easy to lose sight of what’s important in a busy lifestyle.
Evi @ greenevi
December 12, 2016 at 1:15 pmI love everything about this recipe! So many awesome flavours and textures in one delicious salad, I could eat this all day long.
Also, beautiful pictures as usual – pinned :)
Sarah
December 12, 2016 at 2:26 pmThank you so much Evi!! :)
Julia
December 12, 2016 at 10:40 pmThis dish is perfection! So clean and flavorful, with all those textures! I’m a mega fan of turmeric in general, and use Frontier’s turmeric religiously. Anxious to give this beautiful dish a whirl!
Sarah
December 13, 2016 at 9:00 amThank you Julia :) :)
Jenn
December 13, 2016 at 12:08 pmI have been obsessed with turmeric lately. Can’t get enough. This dish sounds delicious! Frontier Co-Op is such a great company. (By the way, I LOVE your dark wood board!)
Sarah
December 13, 2016 at 3:20 pmTurmeric is awesome!! And thank you Jenn :)