Are you looking for a delicious and nutritious salad recipe? Look no further than this Moroccan chickpea salad! Packed with aromatic flavors and vibrant colors, this salad is a delight to prepare and enjoy. Plus, it's a fantastic source of plant-based proteins. With so many variations of chickpea salad out there, it can be hard to choose. But this recipe with carrots and cumin is sure to satisfy your taste buds and leave you wanting more. Let's dive into the details of this mouthwatering dish!
Moroccan Chickpea Salad Recipe
This particular Moroccan chickpea salad recipe takes ordinary ingredients and transforms them into a dish bursting with flavors. The combination of carrots, cumin, raisins, and spices adds an irresistible exotic twist to this salad. Here are the ingredients you'll need to make 6 portions of this finger-licking goodness:
Ingredients for the Chickpea Salad
- 1 can (450-480 grams) of chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 450-500 grams of carrots, peeled and grated (you can also cut them into segments or dice them)
- ⅓ cup of finely chopped raisins or pitted dates
- ½ cup of slivered almonds
- ½ cup of chopped fresh mint or an equal amount of a mixture of cilantro, mint, and parsley
- 2 tablespoons of finely chopped shallots
- 1 clove of garlic, chopped
Ingredients for the Dressing
- ¼ cup of extra virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon of lemon zest and 3 tablespoons of lemon juice
- ¼ cup of freshly squeezed orange juice
- 1½ tablespoons of honey
- ¾ teaspoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon of ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon of ground coriander
- ¼ teaspoon of ground allspice
- ¼ teaspoon of cayenne pepper*
*You can use a Moroccan spice blend as a substitute for cayenne pepper.
Preparation Steps
To begin, start by cleaning and cutting all the vegetables for the salad according to the listed ingredients. Then, toast the slivered almonds in a preheated oven at 175-180 degrees Celsius for 5 minutes. While the almonds are toasting, whisk together all the ingredients for the dressing in a bowl.
Next, combine all the ingredients for the chickpea salad in a large salad bowl. Add the prepared dressing and mix everything thoroughly until well-coated. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes or up to a few hours. This allows the flavors to meld together and enhances the overall taste.
Before serving, give the salad a final taste and adjust the seasoning with more salt or lemon juice if needed. Feel free to garnish with additional freshly chopped herbs to add an extra pop of flavor. Serve the salad chilled and enjoy!
Pro-tip:
Looking to switch things up? You can make this salad with kale or yellow spinach leaves instead of, or in addition to, the carrots for a different twist.
Nutritional Information per Serving:
- Calories: 312
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Carbohydrates: 40 g
- Sugar: 19 g
- Fiber: 9 g
- Protein: 8 g
- Sodium: 522 mg
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Feel free to add cucumbers or any other green vegetables of your choice to this flavorful salad. It's a versatile dish that can easily be customized to suit your preferences. Give this Moroccan chickpea salad a try and indulge in a burst of flavors and textures that will leave you wanting more.
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