Cilantro Chickpea Salad

The goal of this blog is to share alternatives to the standard American diet since it isn’t always health promoting. Creating recipes that are delicious and packed with nutrients for optimal health is a passion of mine because I want others to understand the healing effect of healthy food choices. Through food, we can literally choose life over death because when we put good things in we have the potential to gain more energy, experience less mood swings, enjoy a healthy digestive system, and the best part about a whole food plant-based diet is that it can actually fight against disease! Doesn’t this sound exciting!? (For more information on case studies and a healthy lifestyle check out two book recommendations on Common Questions – My Plant Based Glow.

BUT…

As much as I love plant-based eating and recipe creation, I do indulge in some unhealthy choices, especially if I’m in a “food funk” (face it, we all get them). The great part??  We are here to keep each other accountable, so thank you for being a part of this journey to better health and wellness. Together we can spur each other on to better health!

Now, let’s have some lunch…

This recipe came about because I was in the mood for something a little more substantial than a salad (my usual lunch of choice) but I didn’t want to sacrifice all the nutrients found in my beloved salad.

Start by draining the chickpeas.  Keep the liquid (called aquafaba) for another use. This can be used as an egg replacer and blends much like egg whites used for meringue. 

Smash time… The chickpeas won’t mind if you take some frustration out on them.

Now chop up those veggies and mix in the rest of your ingredients.

Just a glimpse of what you’re putting in your body when you eat this…

• Fiber: promotes healthy digestion, lowers the risk of heart disease, stroke and type two diabetes
• Protein: protein is needed to fuel our energy and carry oxygen through the body
• Iron: necessary for hemoglobin production. Iron is needed in the body to make some hormones
• Vitamin A: promotes a healthy immune system and strong vision
• Vitamin K: promotes strong bones
• Antioxidants: good for brain health and reduces damage to cells created by free radicals
• Omega-3 and -6: Assists with brain and heart health by improving blood flow and lowering bad cholesterol as well as fighting against type two diabetes

Cilantro Chickpea Salad

October 1, 2021

Servings: 2

Prep: 20 min

Total: 20 min

Difficulty: Easy

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This lunch is a powerhouse that will provide the fuel you need to get through the rest of your day without weighing you down or making you feel tired/sluggish.

By: Lisa

Ingredients

• 1 15 oz can chickpeas, drained (save liquid for another recipe)
• 1 handful kale (or other greens), finely chopped
• 1 stalk celery, diced
• ½ avocado, smashed
• ¼ cup red pepper, diced
• 2 tbsp red onion, diced
• 2 tbsp cilantro, finely chopped
• 2 tbsp nutritional yeast
• 2 tbsp pumpkin seeds
• Juice of 1/2 lemon (or juice of whole lemon if preferred)
• Salt and Pepper to taste

Directions

• Step 1 Pour drained chickpeas into a medium sized mixing bowl. Using a potato masher or fork, smash chickpeas to preferred texture. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Serve on bread, rice cakes or with crackers. This is an oil free recipe, but if desired, add a tablespoon of olive oil to mixture.