Today I am here with a very simple and quick Quinoa and Chickpea Salad recipe. You just need 30 mins to whip up this salad if you are cooking from the scratch. This Quinoa and Chickpea salad is so crisp and refreshing .Summers have started in this part of the world. These quick salads are a life saver as it is packed with nutrition and bursting with flavors. I love my salads fresh .
Quinoa and Chickpea Salad:
Quinoa and Chickpea salad works perfect for picnics and lunch boxes. It is so easy to whip up . It is gluten free and Vegan .It is dairy free and nut free too. We love this healthy Quinoa and chickpea salad made with very simple ingredients :
- 1. Tri Colour Quinoa –This a blend of white ,black and red quinoa . It has a nutty flavour ,fluffy yet firm texture. Quinoa is vegan and gluten free.It is rich in Iron ,fiber and Complete plant based protein. I have used Bobs Redmill Tricolour Quinoa here. It is perfect for soups ,Pulao and Salads. It’s also rich in Amino acids.
- 2. Green Bell Pepper–I have used green Bell Pepper or Capsicum .It is low in calories and high in fiber and other nutrients.
- 3.Japanese Cucumber– I love to use Japanese Cucumber as they are so crunchy and crisp. They have minimal seeds and i use them with seeds.
- 4.Red Onion– I have used a medium sized red Onion here. Onions are rich in Antioxidants and nutrient dense. They help to fight inflammation in our body.
- 5.Fresh Coriander–I love to use fresh clean finely chopped coriander . If you like parsley you can substitute that with fresh coriander.
- 6.Green Chili Flakes–This is completely optional . I like a little spice kick . This is home made by my mom. Sundried fresh green chili coarsely ground.
- 7. Salt— Add to taste
- 8.Lemon Juice–I have used juice of half a lemon to give a nice tangy flavor to the salad.
- 9.Coarse Black pepper–I love to add coarse black pepper always instead of fine powder. It adds a nice flavor and taste to the salad.
- 10. Cooked Chickpeas — Soak chickpeas and pressure cook with salt and water up to three whistles in a pressure cooker. They should be soft yet firm. It is a rich source of protein and fiber and low in calories.
What is Tricolour Quinoa:
Tricolour Quinoa is one of the best Super food. The three types of quinoa commercially grown are white ,red and black.
White Quinoa cooks faster ,mild in flavor and is fluffy when cooked. People usually substitute it for Rice.
Red Quinoa has a more robust flavor , nuttier and slightly chewier too.
Black quinoa has a more earthy flavor and hold better shape when used in salads compared to white one .
I prefer the tricolour quinoa for my salads as I love different textures and colors.
Quinoa and chickpea salad is perfect to enjoy with family.
We love a variety of salads . Have you tried the Mediterranean black eyed bean salad and tofu salad ? Do try it and you won/t regret I bet.
QUINOA AND CHICKPEA SALAD (VEGAN)
Equipment
- 1 Mixing Bowl
- 1 Heavy bottom Sauce Pan
- 1 Chopping Board and Knife
- 1 Fine mesh Colander
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Uncooked Tricolour quinoa rinsed well
- 2 Cups Water
- 1 Cup Cooked Chickpeas
- 1 No Japanese Cucumber chopped
- 1 No Green Bell Pepper Chopped
- 1 No Small Red onion chopped
- 8 No Cherry tomatoes halved
- 1/4 Cup Finely Chopped Fresh Coriander
- 1/2 Juice of half a lemon
- 1/4 Tsp Coarse Black pepper
- Salt to Taste
- 1/4 Tsp Green Chili Flakes
Instructions
Cooking Tricolour Quinoa :
- Add rinsed quinoa and water to a saucepan. Bring the mixture to boil over medium heat and then let it gently simmer. Cook uncovered until the quinoa has absorbed all the water ,about 15 minutes. Turn off the heat and cover the quinoa for about 5 minutes to fluff up.
Assembling the Salad
- In a large mixing bowl combine the cooked chickpeas, chopped green bell pepper, chopped cucumber , chopped red onions , Halved Cherry tomatoes and fresh coriander and set it aside.
- Once the quinoa is mostly cool add it to the mixing bowl. Pour the lemon juice and mix well.
- Season with green chili flakes , salt and coarse black pepper and give it a nice mix.
- Let the salad rest for 5 minutes for all the flavors to sink in.
- Serve and Enjoy !!
Notes
- Always serve this salad at room temperature.
- Feel free to add any greens to this salad.
- Green chili flakes are options but i would suggest not to skip it. It can be easily made at home . Sun dry the chili and coarsely grind it. Store it in an air tight dry container.
- You can use only white or red quinoa too.
- You can add olive oil if you wish too but I have not used here,
- It is very refreshing and filling .
- If you are using normal Indian Cucumber then remove the seeds.
- You can add red bell pepper too.
- You can even add crumbled Feta cheese or curried tofu.
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Love quinoa in salads, adds fullness and hearty feel to the meal. Adding tricolor quinoa makes that bowl more colorful with other crunchy veggies. Love how you have kept the dressing simple and wow green chili flakes, I have to check whether I get them here!
Priya I am so glad you loved it. Green chili flakes are home made. I am not sure if you can get it outside .
Green chilli flakes – now that’s a game changer especially in a salad like this ; power packed lunch for sure .
PS – are the green chilli flakes the same as Balakada menasinakayi, Preethi ?
Thanks Kalyani . Chili flakes are home made. Simply sundried green chilies and coarsely ground. Mom made it for me. You can easily make it at home . Do try and let me know .
I love the bite from the cooked tricolour quinoa. This salad is so colourful and best to have at lunch at work, so in my box and good to go for this week.
You are right Seema . Thank you .
Chickpea and quinoa salad is a hearty wholesome and delicious salad, it is an all time favourite. I also loved the addition of green chilli flakes .. does it makes salad taste a bit different.. will try to make green chilli flakes at home. Hope we can use any type of green chilli to make it.
Hey Swati I am so glad you liked it . Green Chili flakes enhances the flavors and gives a slight spice kick. You can you use any variety to make the flakes. I love the spicy ones .