CHICKPEA SALAD

This colourful chickpea salad is a filling combination of quinoa and crisp veggies that is full of taste and nutrition. It’s a great option for any meal!

Ingredients:

1. 200g of washed and drained canned chickpeas
2. 125g of couscous or quinoa
3. 150g of half-ripe cherry tomatoes
4. one chopped cucumber
5. ten sliced radishes
6. One hundred grammes of fresh spinach
7. One sliced avocado
8. a few freshly chopped parsley leaves

Getting dressed:

1. Two tablespoons of olive oil
2. 1 tbsp lemon juice
3. To taste, add salt and pepper.

Directions:

1. Follow the directions on the package to prepare the quinoa. After cooking, remove and allow to cool.
2. Chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, radishes, spinach, avocado, and parsley should all be combined in a big bowl.
3. Whisk the lemon juice and olive oil to make the dressing. Add pepper and salt for seasoning.
4. Over the salad, drizzle with the dressing and mix to fully blend.
5. Top the salad with the cooled quinoa and serve.

Variations:

• Greek Chickpea Salad: Toss in chopped cucumber, feta cheese crumbles, red onion, cherry tomatoes, and Kalamata olives. For a cool Mediterranean flair, dress with a blend of lemon juice, olive oil, garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper.
• In a Mediterranean Chickpea Salad, combine chopped fresh basil, roasted red peppers, sliced cucumber, red onion, and artichoke hearts with the chickpeas. For a hit of Mediterranean flavour, drizzle with a dressing composed of lemon juice, olive oil, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and pepper.
• Avocado Chickpea Salad: To add extra creaminess, mash part of the chickpeas with ripe avocado. To make a zesty and cool salad, add diced tomatoes, red onion, cilantro, and lime juice.
• In a spicy chickpea salad, combine diced bell peppers, jalapeños, red onion, and fresh cilantro with the chickpeas. Add some fire to it by spicing it up with a dressing consisting of lime juice, olive oil, minced garlic, cumin, chilli powder, paprika, salt, and pepper.
• Curried Chickpea Salad: Combine diced apple, raisins, celery, and red onion with chickpeas. For a sweet and savoury flavour combination, make a dressing using Greek yoghurt, curry powder, lemon juice, honey, salt, and pepper.
• Italian Chickpea Salad: Add mozzarella balls, marinated artichoke hearts, chopped fresh basil, cherry tomatoes, and diced roasted red peppers to the chickpeas. For an Italian-inspired salad, dress with a blend of balsamic vinegar, olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper.
  You are welcome to modify the ingredients and seasonings to suit your dietary needs, personal preferences, or available ingredients. Have fun blending flavours and coming up with original versions of chickpea salad!