Mediterranean Chickpea Salad


Ingredients:

Chickpea Salad

1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas (with salt), drained well (do not rinse)

3/4 cup diced English cucumber

3/4 cup or quartered cherry tomatoes

1 red bell pepper, freshly roasted, or 1/2 cup jarred roasted red pepper, diced

1/3 cup roughly chopped fresh parsley (or mixture of parsley, basil, and dill)

1/4 cup finely diced red onion

1 small avocado, seeded, quartered, peeled, and cubed (optional)

1/2 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste

1/2 cup diced feta cheese or sliced Kalamata olives

 

Lemony-Mint Vinaigrette

3 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil

Juice of 1/2 lemon (1 1/2 tablespoons)

2 tablespoons minced fresh mint

1 garlic clove, minced

1/4 teaspoon sea salt

 

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, gently stir together the chickpeas, cucumber, tomatoes, roasted

pepper, parsley, onion, avocado (if using), and salt.

 

2. In a small jar, shake together all Lemony-Mint Vinaigrette ingredients. Drizzle over

the chickpea mixture and gently stir to combine. Adjust seasoning.

 

3. Transfer to a serving bowl, sprinkle with the feta, and serve.

 

Hint: For best results, pat the chickpeas, cucumber, tomatoes, and roasted pepper dry

before combining in step #1, so the vinaigrette better adheres to these chickpea salad

ingredients. To serve as an entrée, stir in bite-sized protein, such as grilled chicken or

tofu cubes.

 

Serves: 4

Protein: 7g

Calories: 271