Tunisian Chickpea and Herb Salad
A refreshing and vibrant salad featuring tender chickpeas, a medley of fresh herbs, crisp vegetables, and a zesty lemon-olive oil dressing. It's a light yet satisfying dish perfect as a side or a light meal.
🧂 Ingredients
- 2 cans (400g each) Canned chickpeas(rinsed and drained)
- 1 medium Cucumber(diced)
- 2 medium Tomatoes(diced)
- 1/2 small Red onion(finely chopped)
- 1/2 cup Fresh parsley(chopped)
- 1/4 cup Fresh mint(chopped)
- 1/4 cup Fresh cilantro(chopped)
- 3 tbsp Lemon juice
- 4 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tsp Cumin powder
- to taste Salt
- to taste Black pepper
- 50 g Optional: Feta cheese(crumbled)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
In a large bowl, combine the rinsed and drained chickpeas, diced cucumber, diced tomatoes, and finely chopped red onion.
💡 Tip: Ensure all vegetables are uniformly diced for even distribution. - 2
Add the chopped fresh parsley, mint, and cilantro to the bowl.
💡 Tip: Use fresh herbs for the best flavor. Adjust quantities to your preference. - 3
In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, cumin powder, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
💡 Tip: Taste the dressing and adjust seasoning as needed before adding to the salad. - 4
Pour the dressing over the chickpea and vegetable mixture.
💡 Tip: Start with a little less dressing and add more if needed, to avoid making the salad too soggy. - 5
Gently toss all the ingredients together until well combined.
💡 Tip: Be careful not to mash the chickpeas. - 6
If using, sprinkle crumbled feta cheese over the salad just before serving.
💡 Tip: Adding feta at the end prevents it from becoming mushy. - 7
Let the salad sit for about 10-15 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to meld.
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For a heartier meal, add grilled chicken or shrimp.
- ✓You can add other vegetables like bell peppers or olives.
- ✓This salad can be made ahead of time, but it's best to add the dressing just before serving to keep the vegetables crisp.
🔄 Variations
- Add a pinch of red pepper flakes for a bit of heat.
- Incorporate some cooked quinoa for added protein and texture.
- Serve in lettuce cups for a lighter option.