A quick and flavorful salad featuring chickpeas tossed in a spicy dressing with Moroccan-inspired spices, perfect for a light lunch or side dish.
Author:Ahazzam
Prep Time:10 min
Cook Time:0 min
Total Time:10 min
Yield:4 servings
Category:Salad
Method:No Cook
Cuisine:Mediterranean
Diet:Vegan
Ingredients
Scale
2 (15-ounce) cans chickpeas, rinsed and drained
1/2 cup chopped red onion
1/2 cup chopped cucumber
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1 teaspoon smoked paprika
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper (adjust for heat preference)
1/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Salt and black pepper to taste
For the Dressing: 3 tablespoons tahini, 2 tablespoons water, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, 1 small clove garlic minced, 1/4 teaspoon salt
Instructions
In a large bowl, combine the rinsed chickpeas, red onion, cucumber, and cilantro.
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, cumin, smoked paprika, cayenne pepper, and cinnamon. Season with salt and pepper.
Pour the spice mixture over the chickpea mixture and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
Prepare the dressing: Whisk together the tahini, water, 1 tablespoon lemon juice, minced garlic, and salt until smooth. Add more water, one teaspoon at a time, if the dressing is too thick.
Drizzle the lemon-tahini dressing over the salad just before serving, or serve the dressing on the side.
Mix well and serve immediately, or chill for 15 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
Notes
For extra heat, add 1/2 teaspoon of your favorite hot sauce to the main spice mixture.
Balance the heat by adding 1 teaspoon of honey or maple syrup to the dressing if you prefer a sweeter profile.
This salad works well as a sandwich filling inside pita bread or served over mixed greens for a heartier meal.