Description
Ina Garten’s chickpea salad brings Mediterranean flavors to your table with zesty herbs and crisp vegetables. Fresh ingredients mingle in a light dressing, creating a refreshing dish perfect for summer gatherings that leaves you craving another bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 2 cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 bell pepper (any color), diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 small red onion, finely chopped
Herbs and Seasonings:
- ¼ cup fresh parsley, chopped
- ¼ cup fresh mint, chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
Dressing:
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
Instructions
- Meticulously prepare the fresh vegetables by dicing the cucumber and bell pepper into uniform, small cubes approximately 1/4 inch (0.6 centimeters) in size. Slice the cherry tomatoes precisely in half, revealing their vibrant interior.
- Finely mince the red onion, parsley, and mint leaves, ensuring each herb and vegetable is chopped with precision to maximize flavor distribution.
- Select a spacious mixing bowl and gently add the chickpeas, creating a robust base for the Mediterranean-inspired salad. Layer the prepared red onion, cucumber, bell pepper, halved cherry tomatoes, and freshly chopped herbs atop the chickpeas.
- In a separate small bowl, craft the zesty dressing by whisking together extra virgin olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, ground cumin, kosher salt, and freshly cracked black pepper until the ingredients emulsify into a smooth, aromatic mixture.
- Drizzle the vibrant dressing over the chickpea and vegetable mixture, using a gentle folding technique to ensure each ingredient is evenly coated and the flavors harmonize seamlessly.
- Cover the salad with a tight-fitting lid or plastic wrap and allow it to rest in the refrigerator for 30 to 45 minutes, enabling the ingredients to marinate and intensify their collective taste profile.
- Before serving, give the salad a final gentle stir and optionally garnish with additional sprigs of fresh parsley or mint leaves to enhance visual appeal and provide a burst of herbal freshness.
Notes
- Refrigerate for maximum flavor infusion, allowing ingredients to meld together perfectly.
- Precision chopping ensures uniform vegetable sizes, creating a harmonious texture in every forkful.
- Serve immediately after chilling to experience the crisp, refreshing taste at its peak.
- Prep ingredients in advance for a quick, easy meal that looks professionally crafted.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container, enjoying within 24 hours for optimal freshness.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 45 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 270 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 16 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 28 g
- Fiber: 7 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg