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Green Chickpea Salad with Yogurt Dressing

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Couple of months back, a lovely friend had requested me to share a spring recipe for her online magazine. As much as thrilled and excited I was, it also got me thinking. There were loads of ideas popping in my mind! Torn between preparing something sweet or savory, I decided to settle with a salad.

The recipe should have simultaneously appeared here long time back but my tiny brain totally forgot about it! The other day, I was clearing some unwanted files from the laptop, these photos caught my attention and that's when I remembered.

The green chickpeas that I used were dried and required to be soaked overnight. Once that is done, it takes hardly any time to prepare the salad. I prefer to make it in advance and letting it rest for a while as it helps the flavors to blend nicely with the raw vegetables. Green chickpeas are easily available in any Indian store, but you could also substitute it with any beans of your choice. I had once replaced the chickpeas in the salad with couscous and that was equally delicious.

The dressing is pretty much like Indian raita; creamy, tangy and gives a refreshing mouth-feel. It is made with yogurt, roasted cumin, extra-virgin olive oil and refreshing mint.

We tried to pair the salad with baked fish on the side. It somehow worked as a great combination and eventually, became one of our favorite meals. Having said that, it also tastes great just on it's own. There is the crunchy bite from the green chickpeas, refreshing tangy kick from the yogurt dressing and sweetness from the vegetables.

chickpea salad 5

Green Chickpea Salad with Yogurt Dressing

Kankana Saxena
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Ingredients
 

  • 1 cup dried green chickpeas (soaked in water overnight)
  • 2 shallots (thinly sliced)
  • 1 yellow pepper (finely chopped to tiny bite size)
  • 1 cup sweet cherry tomatoes (chopped in half or quarters)

for the dressing

  • 1 tablespoon cumin seeds
  • ½ cup sour plain yogurt
  • ¼ cup fresh mint leaves
  • 1 teaspoon lime juice
  • ½ cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon aamchur (dry mango powder)
  • salt

Instructions
 

  • Heat a pan and dry roast the cumin seeds for a few seconds until they change color to a darker shade.
  • Using a coffee grinder or mortar and pestle, grind the roasted cumin seeds to a fine dust.
  • In a food processor, add all the ingredients of the dressing and give it a mix.
  • Take it out in a bowl, add the roasted cumin powder to it and mix properly again.
  • Put the green chickpeas soaked with water in a microwave proof bowl and let it cook for 10 minutes at high temperature.
  • In a salad bowl, add green chickpeas, chopped pepper, chopped cherry tomatoes and shallots.
  • Pour the dressing and give it a good mix.
  • Salad is ready!

Notes

You can also use store bought cumin powder in the dressing. However, freshly grounded, roasted cumin powder adds more flavor and warmth.
If you are using canned chickpeas, you do not need to soak or cook them in the microwave.

Nutrition

Serving: 1Servings

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Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Aunt Clara

    I have to confess that I kinda hate mint. The rest of salad looks like a winner. I have a post in the making for my own version of chickpea salad. Once I am done with that I will definitely try this one.

  2. Kiran @ KiranTarun.c

    I thought I came across this recipe on Divya's e-mag. Beautiful clicks 🙂

  3. Nancy/SpicieFoodie

    I don't think I've ever seen green chickpeas. Will definitely stop at my local Indian shop to see. The salad looks perfect for the summer months. Great photos Kankana:)

  6. Magic of Spice

    I am a salad junkie and this one is a pure delight! Love the flavors here as well as the textures! I will have to look for the dried green chickpeas, how wonderful. And your photos are as gorgeous as ever 🙂

  7. Asmita

    I love all kinds and types of salads. This looks wonderful!

  8. Tadka Pasta

    Lovely salad and fantastic pictures! Would love a bowl of that for lunch! Can't wait to try this with fresh green chickpeas.

  9. chinmayie @ love food eat

    Yummy! Such a flavorful salad! Makes my mouth water 🙂

  10. Aldy @ Al Dente Gourmet

    Such a beautiful post Kankana! Your lovely salad look simply scrumptious--I love chickpeas but I've never had green chickpeas...now I'm curious. Congratulations on your foodbuzz top 9!

    Hugs <3

  11. Cakewhiz

    I have had regular chickpeas but not the green ones. i want to try them and see what they taste like...hehe. your salad looks wonderful... healthy and perfect for me as i am trying to lose all this pregnancy weight...lol

    Oh and the pictures are beautifulllll!

  12. Ansh

    Love Chickpeas in salads. But I have not used the green ones for a salad yet. This looks so colorful and delicious

  13. Sanjeeta kk

    This is really simple pleasure of life..such a refreshing platter!

  14. Maja

    Looks so colorful and bright, Kankana! Congrats on Top 9, I'm so happy for you 🙂

  15. shruti

    i make chickpea salad sometimes, but not tried with yogurt yet. so colorful 🙂