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This Mediterranean Salad With Spicy Roasted Chickpeas is healthy, hearty and also full of protein, vitamins and fiber. Perfect for a weekday lunch.
Happy Wednesday guys!
This week time has been flying for me, but I guess that’s a good thing!
With the dessert overload last week, I’m all about light and simple dishes this week 🙂
And today I’m sharing a recipe for Mediterranean Salad.
Chickpeas are a staple in Mediterranean cuisine and used is salads, soups and hummus.
They are also known as garbanzo beans and have a delicious, nutty taste and a buttery texture.
At times I feel that they are a little under appreciated, not very popular, but they have a great nutritional value.
Rich in protein, fiber and antioxidants, they are excellent for weigh loss diets.
Canned chickpeas are widely available in supermarkets in the US and you can easily use them in a lot of recipes.
They are fully cooked and ready to eat.
At times I find them a little too soft, but I don’t have the habit of buying dry chockpeas.
And since I’m from Bulgaria, chickpeas aren’t new to me! I used to snack on a lot of dry roasted chickpeas as a child, and there were no canned ones around back then.
My great grandma used to soak and then roast raw chickpeas and these used to make a favorite snack.
But since I rarely buy dry chickpeas, I’ve been roasting canned chickpeas with some spices.
I usually use them in salads or enjoy them on their own.
Adding a kick of spiciness makes them the perfect addition for a salad.
Today I’m sharing a very quick and simple Mediterranean salad recipe.
I make this salad very often for lunch and to is packed with wholesome ingredients.
This is a vegetarian version (I’m not a vegetarian), but you can easily add chicken or even steak to this salad.
The Mediterranean salad is full of flavors, that come pretty well together.
Besides the spicy roasted chickpeas, I used some tomatoes, cucumbers, green onions, roasted red peppers and feta.
For a dressing -you can add your favorite vinaigrette, but since the chickpeas have some flavor from the spices, I usually dress this salad with olive oil and vinegar, and of course season with salt.
I hope you enjoy it!
MEDITERRANEAN SALAD WITH SPICY ROASTED CHICKPEAS
Ingredients
FOR THE ROASTED CHICKPEAS:
- 1 (15 oz) can of chickpeas, rinsed well and drained
- 1 Tbsp olive oil
- 1/2 tsp ground cumin
- 1/2 tsp chili powder
- 1/4 tsp Cayenne pepper
- 1/4 tsp sea salt
FOR THE MEDITERRANEAN SALAD:
- 4 cups romaine lettuce, , chopped (or any lettuce of your choice)
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, , halved
- 2-3 large roasted red peppers
- 1 small english cucumber, , cut into cubes
- 2 scallions, , chopped
- 1/4 cup crumbled Feta cheese
- 1/4 cup Kalamata olives
DRESSING:
- salt, , pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2-3 Tbsp vinegar, (apple cider or white)
Video
Instructions
FOR THE ROASTED CHICKPEAS:
- Preheat oven to 400 F (205 C). Line a baking sheet with with aluminum foil.
- Place chickpeas in a bowl, add olive oil, cumin, chill powder, Cayenne pepper and salt. Toss well, making sure chickpeas are evenly covered with spices.
- Spread chickpeas in an even layer over baking sheet and bake for 30 minutes, until they are crisp.
- Let them cool, before you add them to the salad.
FOR THE SALAD:
- Add chopped lettuce, tomatoes, cucumbers, scallions, olives, feta cheese and chickpeas to a bowl.
- Dress with salt, pepper, olive oil and vinegar.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Craving More Salads ?
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What a great looking salad! I don’t roast chickpeas nearly often enough, need to do that again soon. I love that you added them to a salad – I can’t wait to try that!
Spiced roasted chickpeas and salad, totally my kinda flavors! Love the look of this salad, Mira! I have to try this soon! pinning!
Fantastic salad Mira!
This reminds me of a favorite salad at my old work. The flavors work so well together, and the chickpeas give it a hearty note that leaves you full for hours! Delish, Mira 🙂
Such a beautiful salad, Mira! I love it when food is nutritious AND gorgeous, it just makes me feel great about eating it! Roasted chickpeas are really delicious. I don’t make them very often, but whenever I do, I wonder WHY I don’t make them very often. 😉 They are so easy and really tasty! I think I love your liberal use of feta cheese most of all. Love!
There’s so much I love about this salad, but I gotta say, I’ve never roasted chickpeas before! I see them a lot around the blogosphere, and they look so good, I just haven’t done it yet! Thing is, I eat them frequently. The spices you’ve used to roast the chickpeas are ones I use all the time. I’m going to put this one on the list! Thank you Mira!!
I am always keeping an eye out for a good salad! This looks so yummy! I can’t wait to make those roasted chickpeas. Pinned!
What a beautiful salad. Love all the vibrant colours and fresh mediterranean flavours – this definitely would make the perfect lunch or light dinner for tomorrow!
This is calling my name! Spiced chickpeas can turn ANY boring salad into an amazing one that doesn’t taste like you’re eating healthy! So jealous you grew up snacking on real chickpeas 🙂
Beautiful color and great in flavor! I never put roasted chickpeas into a Mediterranean salad but I will start now! Love to add a little punch to my salad 🙂