MEDITERRANEAN CHICKPEA SALAD

By Ravneet Kaur

Wellness is primarily being in good physical and mental health. Because mental health and physical health are so closely linked, problems in one area can impact the other. At the same time, improving your physical health can also benefit your mental health and other life domains, and vice versa. People with healthy eating patterns live longer and are at lower risk for serious health problems such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and obesity. For people with chronic diseases, healthy eating can help manage these conditions and prevent complications.

To keep the body in good health is a duty otherwise we shall not be able to keep our mind strong and clear. 

-Buddha

The Recipe which I am going to share today is super handy as it takes only 35 minutes of your time! Have you ever tried making Mediterranean Chickpea Salad? No? Then it's time to make and try today. 

Description💁‍♀️- There is nothing quite so satisfying as a fresh, healthy chickpea salad, and this Mediterranean Chickpea Salad is no exception. It is filled with precious nutrients that will sustain you for hours to come. In addition, it has an absolutely delicious flavor, which will have you coming back for more. Chickpeas are rich in protein and fiber, both of which aid weight loss. Fiber keeps you fuller for longer and protein satiates hunger. The fiber content in it also takes good care of your digestive system.

Here are some health benefits of Chickpeas:

• Chickpeas, or garbanzo beans, are a type of legume. The most common type has a round shape and a beige color, but other varieties are black, green, or red.
• Their nutrients have various health benefits. Like other legumes, such as lentils, chickpeas are rich in fiber and protein.
• They also contain several key vitamins and minerals.
• Chickpeas contain a range of nutrients, including protein, which is necessary for bone, muscle, and skin health.
• For people who are cutting down on meat consumption, a dish of chickpeas and rice, for example, can contribute a significant amount of protein to the diet.
  
  Mediterranean Chickpea Salad is light and refreshing and uses a quick dressing. Whip this up in under 15 minutes and enjoy this healthy lunch or side all week long!

Ingredients:🛍

3 cups chickpeas, drained (2 cans)

1 red onion🧅

1 bell pepper🌶

1 big cucumber🥒

1/2 cup green or black olives

1/4 cup fresh mint and parsley🥬🌿🍀

8-9 cherry tomatoes🍅

For Dressing:🍾

1 garlic clove, minced or crushed🧄

1 Tbsp. honey🍯

Juice from one fresh lemon🍋

1 teaspoon sea salt🧂

1 teaspoon Black pepper🧂

1/3 cup olive oil🧈

2 Tbsp. vinegar🍾

Instructions:👩‍🍳

• Rinse chickpeas with water and add them into a large bowl.
• Take one cucumber and chop it into medium sized chunks. If you want to peel it you can peel the skin of the cucumber as well.

By Ravneet Kaur

• Now cut the cherry tomatoes into half and lengthwise.

By Ravneet Kaur

• Next, take one bell pepper and finely chop it.
• Cut onions into thin slices or you can also chop them finely.
• Finely chop mint, parsley and some basil leaves for some freshness.

By Ravneet Kaur

• Add some chopped olives. Add and mix everything in a bowl.
• Now, let’s prepare salad dressing.
• Learn how to make different types of homemade salad dressings.

•  

  In a separate bowl add some fresh lemon juice, honey, extra virgin olive oil.
• Add some vinegar, minced garlic, salt and pepper according to your taste.

By Ravneet Kaur

• Now mix the dressing thoroughly and pour it over the bowl of veggies.

By Ravneet Kaur

• Give it a good mix and toss it well.

By Ravneet Kaur

• Plate it and serve the salad fresh.

By Ravneet Kaur

Tips and Tricks💡

1. This Mediterranean chickpea salad can last in your fridge for a couple of days, which makes it a great salad to serve guests or bring along for lunch on-the-go.
2. Do not add more salt at once because olives also have some salt. So its advisable to check the taste first and then adjust according to the flavor.
3. Cut every vegetable into bite size. Not too big, not too small.
4. It is easiest to open a couple of cans of chickpeas, which I often do, but I also soak dried organic chickpeas overnight and pressure cook them in an Instant pot for 30 minutes or so. A more economical option. This method also allows me to put some flavor into the beans, such as onion and garlic powder. I do not add the salt until after the beans are cooked. Salt can hinder the beans from getting tender.

Try this lazy 3 ingredient Mediterranean salad.

Healthy food recipes from the Mediterranean diet.

Chickpea is a great source of proteins. If you want to have more chickpea in your diet and meals, then here are some more chickpeas recipes.

This was a super easy recipe to make with less ingredients. Tell me how was it in the comments and don't forget to subscribe for more healthy and easy recipes.

HAVE A HAPPY COOKING! 😉