Are you on a diet and want to make Middle Eastern chickpea recipes? This article will guide you to making Middle Eastern Chickpea Salad.
So, let’s start with my style, but you have to follow the recipe until the end to make a flavorful salad. I won’t just explain the procedure for making the best chickpea salad; I will also share some interesting things about it.
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How is Chickpea Salad Good for Health?
Chickpeas are an important source of plant-based protein and fiber, which helps improve our digestive system. One cup of chickpeas provides about 14.5 grams of protein and 12.8 grams of fiber. This can help manage weight and is a healthy option.
Diabetes patients often have to avoid many foods. Chickpeas have a low glycemic index, which helps maintain blood sugar levels. They also contain soluble fiber, which helps control cholesterol levels, reducing the risk of heart disease.
- Easy-to-Make Recipe
Making chickpeas is easy. You only need fresh vegetables & can have a healthy meal ready. Eating chickpeas regularly can lower the chances of heart disease & keep blood sugar and cholesterol levels in control.
Ingredients For Middle Eastern Chickpea Salad
| For Spices | For Dressing | For Salad |
| Ground Cumin: 1 tsp | Sherry Vinegar: 1.5 tbsp | Chickpeas: 400g (14 oz) can, |
| All Spice: 1.5 tsp | Lemon Zest: Zest of half a lemon | Cucumbers: 2, diced |
| Ground Cardamom: 1 tsp | Lemon Juice: 2 tbsp | Tomatoes: 2-3 medium, diced |
| Salt: 1/4 tsp | Extra Virgin Olive Oil: 1/4 cup | Red Onion: 1 small, diced |
| – | Caster Sugar: 1 tsp | Coriander Leaves: 1/4 cup (roughly chopped) |
| – | Garlic Clove: 1, smashed (optional) | Parsley: 1/4 cup, roughly chopped |
| – | Salt & Pepper: to taste | – |
Simple Middle Eastern Chickpea Salad-Making Procedure
It’s a healthy recipe, and you can use it for every event. I will explain how to prepare it in detail.
Step 1: Gather Ingredients & Prepare Dressing
Before you start, gather all the ingredients: olive oil, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, salt, & pepper. Next, take a jar and make sure the lid closes tightly. Do not use a jar with a broken lid because the dressing won’t mix well in a broken or lost lid.
Add olive oil, lemon juice, & minced garlic to the jar. You can also add other spices, like salt & black pepper. Use salt according to your taste; it won’t spoil the flavor.
Close the jar tightly & shake it well for about 30 seconds. The more you shake, the better the ingredients combine, creating a delicious dressing.
After mixing, wait for about 20 minutes for the dressing to sit. During this resting time, make sure the flavors mix evenly and achieve a more delicious and tasty dressing. Now, the garlic & spices have infused the oil & lemon juice, improving the flavor.
Step 2: Seasoning the chickpeas
You can move on to the next step until the dressing rests. Take the chickpeas and rinse them well under cold water. It’ll help remove excess sodium & make them clean.
First, drain the chickpeas and put them in a big bowl. It’s important that they are dry, as any leftover moisture can make the spices too wet and affect the texture.
Then, add your favorite spices to the chickpeas. I like to use cumin, paprika, and a bit of salt for flavor. Enjoy!
Next, mix the chickpeas with the spices using a spoon or your hands until they are all covered evenly. The spices will bind nicely to the heat of the chickpeas & will give every bite a taste explosion.
Step 3: Cooking the Chickpeas
Start by heating a large frying pan on high heat. Pour in two tablespoons of olive oil and let it warm up until it looks shiny and shimmery—this means it’s ready to use.
Once the oil is hot, carefully add the spiced chickpeas to the pan. Gently shake the pan to make sure the chickpeas move around. This helps them cook evenly and keeps their tasty spice coating intact. Fry them for a few minutes until they’re nicely browned.
You want them to get a bit crispy & add a great texture to the salad. Transfer chickpeas to a bowl and let cool after frying. This cooling step keeps chickpeas warm but not so hot that they wilt the salad ingredients.
Step 4: Mix All Salad Ingredients
Pour your salad ingredients into a separate bowl. Typically, that means chopped vegetables, such as cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers, and red onions, and fresh herbs, such as parsley or mint.
After putting the vegetables into the bowl, dab some of the prepared dressing over the vegetables. Begin with a little. Add more later on if necessary.
You gently toss the salad ingredients with a spoon or salad tongs. Don’t be aggressive with the vegetables; you want everything to be crisp, colorful, and coated with the dressing.
Step 5: Combine All Ingredients
Once your chickpeas have blitzed, pour over the warm, spiced chickpeas you cooked earlier & top the salad. It warms the dish and gives texture.
And if you’d like to, you can drizzle a little more dressing over the top of the salad. This step is optional, but if you do it and it suits your palate, it will add extra flavor.
Gently mix everything back together. Be careful with the chickpeas so you don’t lose their spice coating.
What is The Perfect Time To Eat Chickpea Salad?
The best time to eat this is during lunch or dinner. I usually eat heavy meals at those times, so I make a salad for myself. It’s an easy-to-prepare and healthy option.
A salad is a great option if you don’t want a heavy dinner. This is especially true on hot summer days, as it is refreshing and nutritious.
Conclusion
This salad is versatile & comes in handy anytime you want: a light lunch, a side dish during a family gathering, or a snack.
It can also be made on time and kept in the refrigerator for later—another reason this makes a delicious meal prep item. However, you can taste the Middle East through Tasty Middle Eastern Chickpea Salad.