Mediterranean Chickpeas Salad

Summer is a season for cold and delicious refreshing salads.Chickpeas are versatile and welcomed in salad, pasta and stew. Chickpeas along with feta cheese lend Mediterranean flair to this easy and healthy salad.

During summer, somehow none of likes to have salad and I have to work hard to bring varieties in this category. The other day I already had boiled chickpeas and thought to make salad as a side dish. Then I looked online and found several recipes for chickpeas salad in Mediterranean cuisine. I found it simple, elegant and healthy. So here I am..

Serves 4

Preparation Time: 15 minute + soaking time for chickpeas

Cooking Time: NIL

Ingredients

2 cup chickpeas, boiled

1 tomato, diced

1/4 cup red onion, diced

1/4 cup red pepper, diced

6 pc black olives, chopped

1 tsp scallion, finely chopped

1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled (I did not use)

For Dressing,

2 tbsp olive oil

1/2 tsp lemon juice

1/4 tsp roasted cumin powder

1 tsp yogurt

Herbs (chopped) of your choice (I used 1/4 tsp flat leaf parsley, 7-8 leaves of fresh mint and 5-6 leaves of fresh basil)

Salt and pepper

Procedure

1. Mix all ingredients for dressing and keep it aside

2. In a separate bowl, mix remaining ingredients except cheese

3. Pour dressing over to chickpeas and veggies mixture, mix well

4. Add feta cheese

5. Serve cold

This salad can be prepared well in advance. In such case, add salt and tomato when ready to serve. This salad will make healthy snack as well. Take a whole wheat wrap, spread hummus and fill it with this salad. And you have another healthy yet tasty delicacy!