Chickpea salad is a delicious and healthy salad that is bursting with Mediterranean flavors.
When I get to our Florida Home on the First of January, I will visit the local garden centers, get my plants for my flower gardens, and visit the local farmer’s markets for fresh organic produce: tomatoes, peppers, cucumber, Florida Red Onions, and bulk-dried legumes.
This salad is one of the first salads I make as a welcome-back present to Farmer Fred and myself. I also make it again often over the summer when my garden’s veggies are ripe and ready to pick.
This salad is not only incredibly nutritious but it is also packed with fresh and vibrant ingredients. Whether you’re a vegetarian or simply looking for a light and refreshing meal option, this salad will satisfy your cravings.
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Key Takeaways:
- Seasonal Freshness: This salad is inspired by fresh, organic produce sourced from local farmer’s markets or home gardens, making it a perfect dish for seasonal cooking.
- Cost-Effective Tips: Purchasing dry beans in bulk and roasting or pickling your own vegetables saves money and avoids potential toxins from canned foods.
- Health Benefits: Chickpeas, a key ingredient, support brain health and reduce stress due to their high magnesium and fiber content, along with other essential nutrients like iron.
- Make-Ahead Friendly: Components like roasted red peppers, pickled onions, and roasted garlic can be prepared ahead of time for convenience and long-term storage.
- Versatile and Nutritious: The cilantro lime vegan dressing and fresh herb additions offer customizable flavors, making this salad suitable for various dietary preferences.
- Storage and Leftovers: The salad keeps well for up to two days in the fridge if undressed, maintaining freshness and minimizing food waste.
SIS Tip - Simple is Smart Tip for Chickpea Salad
- Purchase your organic legumes in bulk. Dry beans are about 1/3 the cost of beans purchased in a can. A pound of organic black beans is about $2.00 – and when cooked, it will yield the $ 3.00 equivalent of 3 cans of black beans that will cost you about $2.00 – $3.00 per can. If you cook your beans in an instant pot, they take about 30 minutes and don’t require soaking. I try to avoid eating canned vegetables and foods as the cans and the lining of the cans both may contain toxins that are relased into the food during the canning process. If you want the convenience of having canned foods it’s best to can them yourself in glass jars.
- Purchase or grow your organic red peppers and roast them yourself. Make a big batch and freeze them. They defrost in a few minutes and are ready to chop and add to salads, soups, dips, or main dishes.
- Make a big batch of pickled red onions, and what you don’t use in the salad, you can put on quinoa tacos or a vegan hotdog. They keep for several weeks in the refrigerator.
Neuro-Nutrition Nugget: Chickpeas
These tiny and delicious legumes are packed with essential nutrients that support brain health and function. One of the key nutrients found in chickpeas is magnesium, which plays a crucial role in maintaining the health of brain cells and promoting cognitive function. Magnesium is also important for managing stress and lowering anxiety.
Additionally, chickpeas are rich in iron, which helps transport oxygen to the brain and other vital organs. The high fiber content in chickpeas also supports a healthy digestive system by acting as and supporting our microbiome, which is closely linked to brain health.
Ingredients for Chickpea Salad
Cilantro Lime Vegan Dressing:
- Cashews: raw cashews soaked overnight.
- Roasted Garlic: roast ahead of time, cover with olive oil and refrigerate. I roast several heads of garlic at a time.
- Nutritional Yeast gives a rich umami flavor.
- Fresh Cilantro: purchase a large bunch as you need it in the salad and the dressing
- Fresh Lime juice
- Filtered Water
- Salt and Pepper to taste.
- Optional Red Pepper Flakes or Green Dragon Sauce. If you like a little heat in your dressing, this sauce is the bomb. It’s much better than Siracha for this chickpea salad.
Chickpea Salad
- Pickled Onions: For how to pickle the Red Onion.
- Organic Fresh Tomatoes: Cherry tomatoes or regular tomatoes
- Organic Cucumbers: Peel them so they are striped. see photo
- Organic Roasted Red Peppers link above for how to roast red peppers.
- Garbanzo Beans: about 2/3 of a can or 1 cup
- Red Kidney Beans: or small red beans 1/2 cup
- Mint: use fresh or freeze-dried
- Parsley: use the flat leaf, not the curly parsley.
- Dill or Cilantro: fresh is best.
Step by Step Instructions for the Chickpea Salad
Make the Dressing:
- Soak the cashews overnight and drain.
- Put all of the dressing ingredients in the blender.
- Blend until Smooth
- Adjust the consistency with extra water
- Adjust the seasonings and add salt and pepper to taste
Make the Salad
- Pickle the onions the night before or several hours before assembling the salad.
- If you don’t have roasted red peppers you can use fresh red peppers. Roasted red peppers add an extra layer of yum to the salad.
- Chop the tomatoes, peel and chop the cucumbers.
- Add all of the ingredients including the chickpeas to a large salad bowl.
- Finely dice the herbs and add to the salad.
- Stir to combine.
- Serve with the dressing on the side.
- Leftover chickpea salad will keep for up to 2 days undressed in an airtight container in the frideg.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
Is chickpea salad good for health?
Chickpea salad is packed with essential nutrients; chickpeas are a great source of plant-based protein and fiber. These tiny legumes are known to promote digestion, regulate blood sugar levels, and support weight loss. Additionally, they are rich in vitamins and minerals like iron, magnesium, and folate, which are crucial for maintaining a healthy immune system and preventing anemia. Adding vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers to your chickpea salad further boosts its nutritional value, providing you with antioxidants and vitamins.
Are chickpeas healthy?
Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, have long been a staple in many cuisines worldwide. But are they healthy? The answer is yes! Chickpeas are a nutritional powerhouse packed with protein, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals. They are a great source of plant-based protein, making them an excellent option for vegetarians and vegans.
Additionally, their high fiber content helps promote digestion and supports a healthy gut. Chickpeas are also rich in iron, folate, and magnesium, which are important for overall health and well-being.
Can I eat raw chickpeas?
Raw chickpeas are certainly edible, but they may not be the most enjoyable way to consume this versatile legume. Chickpeas have tough outer skin that can be quite hard to chew when eaten raw. However, if you’re looking for a crunchy and nutritious snack, you can soak raw chickpeas overnight and roast them in the oven until they become crispy.
This simple process transforms the raw chickpeas into a delicious and satisfying treat that can be enjoyed on its own or added to salads, soups, or even as a topping for yogurt. So, while raw chickpeas may not be the most appetizing choice, there are ways to enjoy their nutritional benefits in a more palatable form.
Can I have chickpea salad every day?
Absolutely! Having chickpea salad every day can be a delicious addition to your diet. Chickpeas are packed with protein, fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals, making them a nutritious choice. Incorporating chickpea salad into your daily meals can help you maintain a balanced diet and promote overall health.
Is there anything unhealthy about chickpeas?
Chickpeas, also known as garbanzo beans, are a versatile and nutritious legume that has been consumed for centuries. They are packed with protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals, making them an excellent addition to a healthy diet. However, like any food, there can be potential downsides if consumed in excessive amounts.
One concern is the high carbohydrate content of chickpeas, which can be an issue for people with diabetes or those following a low-carb diet. Additionally, some individuals may experience digestive discomfort due to the high fiber content of chickpeas.
Lastly, chickpeas from a can might absorb some of the unhealthy chemicals that coat the inside of the can. However, these potential drawbacks are minimal compared to the numerous health benefits of incorporating chickpeas into your meals.
What is the healthiest way to eat chickpeas?
One of the healthiest ways to eat chickpeas is by roasting them. Toss them with a little olive oil and your favorite spices, then bake them in the oven until they’re crispy and golden. This method retains most nutrients while adding a satisfying crunch to your meals. Another healthy option is to include chickpeas in salads or soups. They can add a delicious texture and flavor while providing a good dose of plant-based protein and fiber.
Best Chickpea Salad
Equipment
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Ingredients
Vegan Cilantro Lime Salad Dressing
- 1 cup raw soaked cashews
- ½ cup filtered water
- 2 tbsp lime juice
- 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
- ½ tsp salt
- optional red pepper flakes or siracha sauce to taste
- 2 handfuls fresh cilantro
- 1 clove roasted garlic
Assemble the Chickpea Salad
- 2 cups garden beefsteak tomato or cherry tomato diced or cut in half
- 2 cups diced English cucumbers
- 1 cup roasted red peppers
- 1 cup pickled red onions
- 1 cup chickpeas
- ½ cup red kidney beans
- ¼ cup diced fresh mint
- ½ cup fresh flat-leaf parsley diced
- ½ cup dill finely chopped
Instructions
- Pickle the onions the day before or several hours before making the salad.
Make the Dressings
- Add all of the dressing ingredients to the jar of a powerful blender.
- Blend until smooth and creamy.
- adjust seasonings to taste. Add extra water to thin if needed. Should be pourable consistency
- Make the Salad
- Add the diced tomatoes, diced cucumbers, pickled onions, roasted red peppers, chickpeas, red kidney beans to a salad bowl.
- Add the chopped parsley and mint.
- Mix together.
- Serve with the dressing on the side or on the salad.
