This is how I make chickpeas to use in recipes. I don't soak the chickpeas, because if you soak them before cooking, they won't absorb the flavors from the stock while they are cooking. One pound of dried chickpeas makes 6 cups of cooked chickpeas. I freeze them in 2 cup amounts to have on hand for recipes. These beans are cooked to the al dente point - I don't cook them until they are completely soft because I am almost always using them in a recipe where they will be cooked further, and I don't want them to be overcooked in the finished dish they will end up in. If you'd like them to be softer, just keep cooking and check every 15 minutes, until they are done to your liking. Always sort dried beans before cooking them - they often have small stones mixed in with them.