Its like an antipasto platter, in the form of a protein-laden, good-for-you meal!
Antipasto Chickpea Salad
Professional food writers would probably describe chickpeas as a blank canvas for flavour.
Im not that eloquent.
Sun-dried tomato dressing
Ill just say bluntly I find chickpeas rather bland.
So when you see chickpeas in a recipe of mine, they are always with big, bold flavours.
Think Indian curries,chorizo stew,Moroccan tray bake,Brazilian stew,Greek Marinated Chickpea Salad.
Sun-dried tomato dressing
Todays recipe is no exception.
Boring chickpeas?Not in my world!!
Ingredients in Antipasto Chickpea Salad
OK!
Antipasto-y things for this salad
Lets get cracking opening jars.
Heres what you need.
8 to 24 hours soak, 30 to 45 minute simmer.
Other antipasto things Artichokes, roasted red peppers, olives.
Feel free to switch out as you wish!
Baby rocket/arugula Nice perky, slightly pepper leafy greens that works well with the bold flavours of the antipasto.
Plus, it holds up better in salads than crisper leafy greens, like iceberg, when kept overnight.
Cherry tomatoes Bursts of fresh juicy sweetness.
But Greek feta works just as well from a flavour perspective.
Coriander/cilantro Fresh herby goodness that works so well with the flavours in this salad!
Dressing
Sun-dried tomato oil The oil reserved from the jar of sun-dried tomatoes.
Sherry vinegar A slightly smoother vinegar with a little more layers of flavour.
Substitute with champagne vinegar, white wine vinegar, red wine vinegar, or apple cider vinegar.
Garlic Minced using a garlic press or finely grated using a microplane, so it melds into the dressing.
Coriander For a hint of subtle, warm spicing.
Salt and pepper Only 1/4 teaspoon of each, because the antipasto items are already salty.
How to make this chickpea salad
A lot of jar opening!
Strain5 tablespoons of oil from the sun-dried tomatoes into a jar to make the dressing.
Prevent screen from sleeping
Top up with extra virgin olive oil, if youre short.
Dressing Add the rest of the ingredients into the jar and shake well until combined.
Drain & roughly chopthe artichokes, roasted red peppers and sun dried tomato.
Combineall the salad ingredients in a large bowl, but reserve a little feta and coriander/cilantro for garnish.
Some of the feta will go a bit smeary and creamy I love this!
Now THAT is a bowl of chickpea deliciousness.
I cant wait for you to get hooked on this as I am!
Like owner, like dog!
