Indian-Style Chickpea Salad Recipe

Indian-style chickpea salad is not only delicious but also nutritious, perfect for those who love vegetarian cuisine and want to explore unique flavors from India. Let’s learn how to make this dish through the article below.

What is Indian-Style Chickpea Salad?

Indian-style chickpea salad is a dish that embodies the essence of Indian cuisine, using distinctive spices like Channa Masala powder to create a unique flavor. It’s a perfect combination of chickpeas (garbanzo beans) and fresh vegetables, carefully seasoned with a blend of natural spices. This dish is not only appealing in taste but also provides many essential nutrients for the body.

Bowl of Channa Masala powder – key ingredient in Indian-style chickpea salad recipe

Ingredients Needed

To make Indian-style chickpea salad, you will need the following ingredients:

• Dried chickpeas: 200g
• Channa Masala powder: 2 teaspoons
• Onion: 1
• Tomatoes: 2
• Cilantro: 1 small bunch
• Mint leaves: a few (optional)
• Coconut milk: 100ml
• Olive oil: 2 tablespoons
• Salt: 1/2 teaspoon
• Black pepper: 1/4 teaspoon
• Honey or jaggery: 1 teaspoon

Steps to Follow

Step 1: Soak and Boil Chickpeas

Soak the dried chickpeas in cold water for at least 8 hours or overnight to soften them. After soaking, rinse the chickpeas and boil them in salted boiling water for about 15 minutes. Once the chickpeas are soft, drain them.

Boiled chickpeas – key ingredient in Indian-style chickpea salad recipe

Step 2: Prepare Vegetables

Thinly slice the onion into wedges, dice the tomatoes, and finely chop the cilantro and mint leaves. These vegetables will add freshness and color to the salad.

Step 3: Marinate Chickpeas with Channa Masala

Place the chickpeas in a large bowl, add 2 teaspoons of Channa Masala powder, a pinch of salt, and black pepper, and mix well. Let the chickpeas marinate for about 15 minutes.

Step 4: Sauté Onion and Chickpeas

Heat olive oil in a pan, sauté the onion until lightly golden. Add the marinated chickpeas and stir-fry for about 5 minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate the chickpeas.

Step 5: Complete the Salad

Add the diced tomatoes, coconut milk, and honey to the pan with the chickpeas. Simmer on low heat, stirring until the mixture thickens. Finally, turn off the heat and sprinkle cilantro and mint leaves on top to enhance the flavor.

Final Product and Enjoyment

The Indian-style chickpea salad is ready to serve. You can enjoy this dish as an appetizer or main course, accompanied by naan bread or white rice to enhance the flavor. The combination of creamy chickpeas, fresh vegetables, and the distinctive taste of Channa Masala powder is sure to satisfy you.

Completed Indian-style chickpea salad – appetizing and colorful

Health Benefits of Indian-Style Chickpea Salad

Not only is it a delicious dish, but Indian-style chickpea salad also offers many health benefits:

• Improves Digestion: Chickpeas are high in fiber, which helps the digestive system function more efficiently.
• Good for Heart Health: The antioxidants and healthy fats in chickpeas support heart health.
• Nutrient-Rich: Chickpeas contain plenty of protein, iron, calcium, and vitamins, providing essential energy for the body.

Conclusion

The recipe for Indian-style chickpea salad is not overly complicated but requires attention to detail in preparing the ingredients and seasoning. Try this recipe to bring a new and nutritious dish to your family. If you enjoy this dish, don’t forget to share your experience with us!

References

1. Indianfoods – Channa Masala Powder
2. “The Complete Vegetarian Cookbook” – America’s Test Kitchen
3. “Indian Vegetarian Cooking” – Pushpesh Pant