Name: Avocado Chickpea Salad
Ingredients: Avocados: (2 ripe avocados) – The star of the show! They provide creamy texture, healthy fats, and a rich, buttery flavor that forms the base of the salad.; Chickpeas: (1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, drained and rinsed) – These little legumes are packed with protein and fiber, adding heartiness and a slightly nutty taste to the salad. Rinsing removes excess sodium and any metallic taste from the can.; Red Onion: (¼ cup finely diced red onion) – Adds a pungent bite and a beautiful pop of color. Red onion’s slightly sharp flavor balances the creaminess of the avocado.; Cucumber: (½ cup diced cucumber) – Provides a refreshing coolness and a satisfying crunch. Cucumber’s mild flavor complements the other ingredients without overpowering them.; Cherry Tomatoes: (1 cup halved cherry tomatoes) – Bursting with sweetness and juicy texture, cherry tomatoes add a vibrant color and a touch of acidity that brightens the salad.; Fresh Parsley: (¼ cup chopped fresh parsley) – Lends a fresh, herbaceous note and a vibrant green color. Parsley’s slightly peppery flavor enhances the overall freshness of the salad.; Lemon Juice: (2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice) – Essential for brightness and preventing the avocado from browning. Lemon juice adds a zesty kick and balances the richness of the avocado.; Olive Oil: (2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil) – Adds healthy fats and richness to the dressing. Extra virgin olive oil also contributes a subtle fruity flavor.; Dijon Mustard: (1 teaspoon Dijon mustard) – Emulsifies the dressing and adds a subtle tang and depth of flavor. Dijon mustard’s sharpness cuts through the richness of the avocado and olive oil.; Garlic Powder: (½ teaspoon garlic powder) – Provides a savory depth and aromatic complexity. Garlic powder offers a milder garlic flavor that’s evenly distributed throughout the salad.; Salt and Black Pepper: (To taste) – Essential seasonings to enhance all the flavors and bring the salad to life. Seasoning properly is key to a delicious and balanced salad.

Ingredients

This recipe is all about simple, wholesome ingredients that come together to create something truly special. Here’s what you’ll need to whip up this flavor-packed salad:

Avocados: (2 ripe avocados) – The star of the show! They provide creamy texture, healthy fats, and a rich, buttery flavor that forms the base of the salad.
Chickpeas: (1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, drained and rinsed) – These little legumes are packed with protein and fiber, adding heartiness and a slightly nutty taste to the salad. Rinsing removes excess sodium and any metallic taste from the can.
Red Onion: (¼ cup finely diced red onion) – Adds a pungent bite and a beautiful pop of color. Red onion’s slightly sharp flavor balances the creaminess of the avocado.
Cucumber: (½ cup diced cucumber) – Provides a refreshing coolness and a satisfying crunch. Cucumber’s mild flavor complements the other ingredients without overpowering them.
Cherry Tomatoes: (1 cup halved cherry tomatoes) – Bursting with sweetness and juicy texture, cherry tomatoes add a vibrant color and a touch of acidity that brightens the salad.
Fresh Parsley: (¼ cup chopped fresh parsley) – Lends a fresh, herbaceous note and a vibrant green color. Parsley’s slightly peppery flavor enhances the overall freshness of the salad.
Lemon Juice: (2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice) – Essential for brightness and preventing the avocado from browning. Lemon juice adds a zesty kick and balances the richness of the avocado.
Olive Oil: (2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil) – Adds healthy fats and richness to the dressing. Extra virgin olive oil also contributes a subtle fruity flavor.
Dijon Mustard: (1 teaspoon Dijon mustard) – Emulsifies the dressing and adds a subtle tang and depth of flavor. Dijon mustard’s sharpness cuts through the richness of the avocado and olive oil.
Garlic Powder: (½ teaspoon garlic powder) – Provides a savory depth and aromatic complexity. Garlic powder offers a milder garlic flavor that’s evenly distributed throughout the salad.
Salt and Black Pepper: (To taste) – Essential seasonings to enhance all the flavors and bring the salad to life. Seasoning properly is key to a delicious and balanced salad.

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Instructions

Get ready for a recipe that’s as easy as it is delicious. In just a few simple steps, you’ll have a vibrant and satisfying Avocado Chickpea Salad ready to enjoy:

Prepare the Chickpeas: Begin by draining and rinsing your canned chickpeas thoroughly under cold water. This step is important to remove any excess sodium and the slightly metallic taste that can sometimes linger from the canning process. Pat them dry gently with a paper towel to help them absorb the dressing later on.
Chop the Veggies: Now it’s time to prep your vegetables. Finely dice the red onion – the smaller the dice, the less overpowering the onion flavor will be. Dice the cucumber into small, bite-sized pieces. Halve the cherry tomatoes. Roughly chop the fresh parsley. Having all your veggies prepped and ready to go will make the assembly process a breeze.
Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the fresh lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, Dijon mustard, and garlic powder. Whisk vigorously until the dressing is well combined and slightly emulsified, meaning it thickens and the oil and lemon juice are no longer separated. Taste and season with salt and black pepper to your liking. Don’t be shy with the seasoning – it’s crucial for bringing out all the flavors of the salad.
Combine Ingredients: In a medium-sized bowl, gently mash the avocados with a fork. You want to leave some chunks for texture, not create a completely smooth paste. Add the rinsed and dried chickpeas, diced red onion, diced cucumber, halved cherry tomatoes, and chopped fresh parsley to the bowl with the mashed avocado.
Dress and Toss: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad ingredients in the bowl. Gently toss everything together until the salad is evenly coated with the dressing. Be careful not to over-mix, as you want to maintain some texture and avoid turning the avocado into mush.
Taste and Adjust: Give the salad a taste. Now is the perfect time to adjust the seasoning to your preference. Does it need a bit more lemon juice for brightness? A pinch more salt to enhance the flavors? A grind of black pepper for a little kick? Make any adjustments necessary to achieve the perfect flavor balance for your palate.
Serve and Enjoy: Your Avocado Chickpea Salad is now ready to be enjoyed! Serve it immediately for the freshest flavor and best texture, or chill it in the refrigerator for a later meal. If chilling, keep in mind that the avocado may brown slightly over time, although the lemon juice helps to slow this process. For optimal freshness, it’s best enjoyed within a few hours of preparation.

Nutrition

Serving Size: one normal portion
Calories: 400
Fat: 30
Fiber: 10
Protein: 12