on May 17, 2023 That vibrant, colorful bowl called the Mediterranean Chickpea Salad can be yours in minutes! And I’m not kidding because that’s literally how long it takes to put this big bowl of salad together – 15 minutes. Though there is a fair bit of chopping involved, that can be easily tackled if you have some help. This salad’s super refreshing and the perfect thing to have during the hot, summer months!
Reasons You’ll Love This Salad
You don’t need perfectly cut veggies – just roughly chop everything up, add it all to the bowl, drizzle with the dressing, toss it up and you are done Travels really well, thereby making it an excellent lunchbox idea for work Loaded with fiber and protein 100% vegetarian and can be easily made vegan by swapping feta cheese with a dairy-free cheese of your choice
How to cook chickpeas from scratch
It is incredibly easy to cook chickpeas from scratch. Start by soaking the beans first – this helps cook them faster, and also helps digest them easier. Soak the chickpeas overnight, and then boil them in mildly salted water for approximately 45 minutes. You can also use an instant pot or pressure cooker to help cook the chickpeas faster – in about 20-25 minutes. Drain and use as required. I also want to point out that after years of cooking chickpeas this way, I’ve realized that the timing varies slightly with the age of the beans. The older the beans, the longer they’ll take to cook, so be prepared for a little variation in cooking time. You know they are cooked when they can be squashed easily between two fingers. Drain the water and then use them in recipes like chana masala, this mediterranean chickpea salad, cauliflower chickpea coconut curry or roast them with Indian spices.
Ingredients You’ll need to make this Salad
Dressing: Extra Virgin Olive Oil: This high-quality oil adds richness and depth of flavour to the dressing, enhancing the overall taste of the salad. White Wine Vinegar: With its mild tanginess, white wine vinegar brings a subtle acidity that balances the flavours in the dressing. You can substitute it with a mild vinegar of your choice! Balsamic Vinegar: Known for its sweet and slightly tart taste, balsamic vinegar adds a touch of complexity and richness to the dressing. Garlic (minced): Freshly minced garlic infuses the dressing with a delightful pungent aroma and adds a savoury kick to the overall flavour profile. Do not use grated garlic or garlic paste as it has a more pungent taste. Dijon Mustard: Dijon mustard contributes a creamy texture and a tangy, slightly spicy flavor that enhances the dressing’s taste and helps emulsify the ingredients. Salt: Salt enhances the flavors of the dressing, ensuring a well-seasoned and delicious result. Black Pepper: Ground black pepper adds a hint of spiciness and a subtle earthy flavour, complementing the other ingredients in the dressing. Salad:Chickpeas: These protein-rich legumes provide a nutty flavor and a satisfying texture to the salad, making it more filling.Red Onions and Green Onions: onions offer a mild sharpness and a touch of sweetness, adding both flavour and crunch to the salad.Cherry Tomato, Cucumber, Red Bell Pepper: these three ingredients add a burst of juiciness, vibrant colour and crunch!Kalamata Olives, Black Olives: Olives provide a briny and savory flavor, adding depth and complexity to the salad. You can use any olives you have on hand!Celery, Parsley: Chopped herbs adds a refreshing and crunchy texture to the salad, while the leaves offer a subtle herbal note. Capers: Capers, if included, provide a tangy and slightly salty taste, bringing a unique and salty flavor to the salad. Feta Cheese: Crumbled feta cheese brings a creamy and tangy flavor to the salad, adding richness and a delightful contrast to the other ingredients.
How to make Mediterranean Chickpeas Salad
- Whisk together all the ingredients for the dressing and set aside. This dressing can be made ahead and stored in the refrigerator.
- Add the chickpeas, onions, cucumber, bell peppers, tomatoes, celery, both the olives, capers, and parsley to a large bowl.
- Drizzle the prepared dressing all over the salad ingredients and toss well together.
- Crumble feta over the salad and refrigerate for a couple of hours before serving. Refrigerating the salad for a few hours help meld the flavours together and gives the chickpeas time to soak up the dressing.
Top Tips to make the Best Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
Whatever you decide to do – you will never regret the decision to make this salad. It actually lasts a good one day in the fridge, and I insist on making it a few hours ahead. Because it gives the chickpeas and veggies time to really soak up the dressing. And that’s exactly what we are looking for – juicy, lemony flavours in every bite.
Serve this with
Some creamy, fluffy hummus, a mound of freshly baked pita bread
Watch How To Make Mediterranean Chickpea Salad
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