Mediterranean Chickpea Salad with Creamy Tahini Dressing
This vibrant Chickpea Salad is a delightful blend of fresh vegetables and protein-rich chickpeas, tossed in a creamy tahini dressing. Perfect as a nutritious main dish or a hearty side, it brings Mediterranean flavors to your table. This recipe includes detailed instructions for preparing dried chickpeas, making it easy to enjoy from scratch.
6
Servings
N/A
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
chickpeas
2 cups (rinsed and drained)
green peppers
1.5 cups (chopped)
carrots
1.5 cups (chopped)
celery
0.5 cup (chopped)
green onion
0.5 cup (chopped)
ricotta cheese
0.33 cup
water
3 tablespoons
tahini
2 tablespoons (sesame seed paste)
mayonnaise
2 tablespoons
fresh lemon juice
2 tablespoons
olive oil
2 tablespoons
soy sauce
1.5 tablespoons
garlic
1 teaspoon (crushed)
cumin
0.25 teaspoon
cilantro
0.33 cup (chopped (or parsley))
Instructions
1
Prepare the Salad: In a large bowl, combine chickpeas, green peppers, carrots, celery, and green onion.
2
Make the Dressing: In a food processor, combine ricotta cheese, water, tahini, mayonnaise, fresh lemon juice, olive oil, soy sauce, crushed garlic, and cumin. Process until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
3
Combine and Serve: Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients. Add the chopped cilantro (or parsley) and toss until the salad is well-coated. Adjust seasoning if needed and serve chilled or at room temperature.
4
Cooking Dried Chickpeas: To prepare dried chickpeas, cover with water in a large pot and bring to a boil for 3 minutes. Remove from heat and let them sit covered for 1 hour. Drain, then cover with fresh water. Simmer for 20-30 minutes or until chickpeas are tender. Drain and cool before using in the salad.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Mediterranean Chickpea Salad with Creamy Tahini Dressing?
It is a vibrant salad featuring protein-rich chickpeas and fresh vegetables tossed in a smooth, creamy tahini and ricotta-based dressing.
How many servings does this recipe yield?
This recipe yields approximately 6 servings.
What are the primary salad ingredients?
The salad consists of chickpeas, green peppers, carrots, celery, and green onion.
Is this chickpea salad vegetarian?
Yes, this recipe is vegetarian as it contains no meat, though it does include dairy and eggs via ricotta and mayonnaise.
How do I prepare the tahini dressing?
Combine ricotta cheese, water, tahini, mayonnaise, lemon juice, olive oil, soy sauce, garlic, and cumin in a food processor and process until smooth.
Can I use dried chickpeas for this recipe?
Yes, the recipe includes specific instructions for boiling, soaking, and simmering dried chickpeas until tender.
How long should I boil dried chickpeas?
Boil dried chickpeas for 3 minutes before removing them from heat to soak.
How long do dried chickpeas need to soak?
After boiling for 3 minutes, let the chickpeas sit covered in the hot water for 1 hour.
What is the simmer time for chickpeas after soaking?
Simmer the soaked chickpeas in fresh water for 20 to 30 minutes or until they are tender.
Can I substitute cilantro in this recipe?
Yes, you can use chopped parsley as a substitute for cilantro if preferred.
What type of cheese is used in the dressing?
The dressing uses 0.33 cup of ricotta cheese for a creamy texture.
Does the dressing contain oil?
Yes, the recipe calls for 2 tablespoons of olive oil.
What spices provide flavor to the dressing?
The dressing is flavored with crushed garlic and 0.25 teaspoon of cumin.
Is there soy sauce in this Mediterranean recipe?
Yes, 1.5 tablespoons of soy sauce are added to the dressing for depth of flavor.
How should the vegetables be prepared?
The green peppers, carrots, celery, and green onions should all be chopped before mixing.
What is tahini?
Tahini is a paste made from toasted ground sesame seeds, used here to provide a nutty flavor to the dressing.
Should this salad be served hot or cold?
The salad can be served either chilled or at room temperature.
How much lemon juice is required?
The recipe requires 2 tablespoons of fresh lemon juice.
Does this recipe include mayonnaise?
Yes, 2 tablespoons of mayonnaise are included in the dressing mixture.
What is the total ingredient count?
There are 15 ingredients used in this recipe.
Is this recipe considered a main dish?
Yes, it is hearty enough to be served as a nutritious main dish or as a side.
How much celery is needed?
The recipe calls for 0.5 cup of chopped celery.
How many chickpeas are used?
The recipe uses 2 cups of chickpeas.
What equipment is needed for the dressing?
A food processor is recommended to achieve a smooth and creamy consistency for the dressing.
Are the carrots cooked or raw in the salad?
The carrots are used raw and chopped to provide a crunch to the salad.
How much water is added to the dressing?
3 tablespoons of water are added to help reach the desired dressing consistency.
Can I use green onions in this salad?
Yes, 0.5 cup of chopped green onions is included in the vegetable mix.
How much tahini is used?
The recipe uses 2 tablespoons of tahini.
Should I drain the chickpeas before adding them to the salad?
Yes, chickpeas should be rinsed and drained before being combined with the other ingredients.
Is this a high-protein salad?
Yes, the chickpeas provide a significant amount of plant-based protein, making it a protein-rich meal.