Summer means salad season!! Whether you have a family picnic to attend or simply want a salad waiting in the fridge to complement something fresh off the grill, a great salad should not be underrated!
Don't get me wrong, I love a good potato salad or macaroni salad. But there are so many other options out there, and I plan on experimenting with them this summer!
Watch Me Make It
The Original Recipe
I found the idea for this recipe right in my inbox. I follow the blog Love and Lemons. If you want some delicious plant-forward meal ideas, I highly recommend that you check it out. https://www.loveandlemons.com/chickpea-salad/
My Recipe
Dressing
3 TBSP each fresh lemon juice and olive oil
1 small garlic clove, minced
2 tsp dijon mustard
1/2 tsp kosher salt
Blend the dressing in a big bowl so you can add salad ingredients right into it and not dirty and extra dish!
Salad Ingredients
2 cans of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 cup halved or quartered cherry tomatoes
1/2 cucumber, diced
1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion, pickled (with equal parts vinegar and water along with some salt)
1/4 cup halved kalamata olives
1 roasted red pepper, diced
1/2 cup chopped parsley
1/4 cup chopped dill
3 spearmint leaves, finely chopped (~1 TBSP)
Toss salad ingredients with the dressing and serve at room temperature, topped with crumbled feta.
Other Ingredient Options
You can leave out any ingredient that you don't enjoy or don't have on hand. There are also lots of other items you can add in. This recipe is super versatile!
Artichoke hearts, quartered
Radishes, chopped
Raw zucchini, chopped
Peas
Fresh green beans, chopped
Fresh corn, sliced from the ear
Black beans
Cremini mushrooms, cleaned and quartered
Basil
Oregano
Brussels sprouts - either halved and roasted or raw and shredded
What else would you add to this salad?
Why I Love This Salad
We all know I love any recipe that I can easily alter to fit a certain flavor profile or simply change up to use (or omit) any number of ingredients and still get a delicious meal. But there are two things I specifically love about this salad:
- It is very hearty (due to all the protein from the chickpeas) so it can be a meal all by itself. It makes an easy workday lunch or a light dinner perfect for a warm evening dinner.
- Also, if you are taking this to a potluck picnic, you don't have to worry about keeping it perfectly cold. It is actually better if it's not refrigerator temperature, so if it has to sit out for a little while, it will hold up!
If you make this salad (or your own version of it), I would love to hear what
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