Citrus Herb Chickpea Salad (Printable Version)
A vibrant blend of chickpeas, grains, and fresh herbs in a zesty citrus dressing perfect for light meals.
# Ingredient List:
→ Grains
01 - 1 cup cooked quinoa (or farro, bulgur, or brown rice)
→ Legumes
02 - 1 can (14 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
→ Vegetables
03 - 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 1 small cucumber, diced
05 - 1/4 small red onion, finely chopped
06 - 1 red bell pepper, diced
→ Fresh Herbs
07 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
08 - 2 tablespoons fresh mint, chopped
09 - 2 tablespoons fresh basil, chopped
→ Citrus Dressing
10 - 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
11 - Zest and juice of 1 lemon
12 - Juice of 1 orange
13 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
14 - 1 garlic clove, minced
15 - 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, or to taste
16 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
→ Optional Garnishes
17 - 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (omit for vegan)
18 - 2 tablespoons toasted sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds
# How to Make It:
01 - Cook quinoa or chosen grain according to package instructions. Allow to cool completely to room temperature before combining with other ingredients.
02 - In a large salad bowl, add cooled grains, chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and bell pepper. Toss gently to distribute evenly.
03 - Sprinkle chopped parsley, mint, and basil over the vegetable and grain mixture.
04 - In a small jar or bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon zest and juice, orange juice, Dijon mustard, minced garlic, salt, and pepper until fully emulsified and creamy.
05 - Pour citrus dressing over salad ingredients. Toss thoroughly to ensure all components are evenly coated with the vinaigrette.
06 - If desired, sprinkle crumbled feta and toasted seeds over the salad. Gently fold to incorporate without crushing the vegetables.
07 - Serve immediately for optimal texture, or refrigerate for 30 minutes to allow flavors to meld together for enhanced taste.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The bright citrus dressing makes even basic vegetables taste extraordinary
- It keeps beautifully for days, actually getting better as flavors meld together
- You can throw in whatever grains or herbs you have on hand
02 -
- The dressing tastes quite sharp on its own but mellows beautifully once it coats all the ingredients
- Fresh herbs absolutely make this dish, so do not substitute dried versions
- Letting the salad rest for 30 minutes transforms it from good to extraordinary
03 -
- Zest the lemon before juicing to capture all those aromatic oils on the surface
- Toast seeds in a dry pan for 2 minutes until fragrant, watching carefully so they do not burn