Salad is one of the most low-effort foods you can eat to satisfy your cravings and the fact that it is healthy is a cherry on top. The best part? You can always surprise yourself by experimenting with salad recipes. Now that we are talking of salads, how does a chana salad made with fresh vegetables like capsicum, cucumbers, green chillies, onions, and feta cheese tossed in an easy homemade lemon-olive oil dressing sounds like? yummy? Thought so.
This make-ahead chana salad will calm all your cravings and makes a comforting side dish that is infused with aromatic spices.
Every bite you take is packed with a delicious mix of flavours. It is the easiest salad you can try at home:
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Recipe:
The beauty of this recipe is that you can make it with any vegetables you have in your refrigerator. You’ll need:
Boiled Chana – It is the main ingredient of the recipe. Cook some chana in an instant pot.
Veggies – Though you can add any vegetable you want, some standard ones include onion, green bell pepper, red bell pepper, cucumbers, and coriander.
Seasonings – You can sprinkle cumin seeds, red chilli flakes, amchoor powder, and dried mint leaves on your salad.
Homemade salad dressing – This is the best part, the dressings! You’ll need olive oil, lemon juice, black pepper, and fresh mint leaves.
How to make it:
In a large bowl, soak some chana in water. Let it soak for 2 hours.
Take out the chana after they are soaked and rinse them under tap water.
Take a pot and put the soaked chana in it. Add 3 cups of water and seal the lid of the pot.
Cook the chana at high pressure for 40 minutes.
Add salt, amchoor and cumin powder, and also dried mint leaves to the chickpeas (optional).
Toss to combine and add bell peppers, cucumber, onions, tomato, and chopped dhaniya to the bowl.
In a mixing bowl, take olive oil, black pepper, lemon juice, and freshly chopped mint leaves, and then combine all ingredients.
Pour this dressing over the chana salad, toss to combine.
Do a taste test and serve.
Tip – For a tangier flavour, reduce lemon juice to 1 tablespoon and add about a tablespoon of vinegar to the dressing.
Try one more chana salad recipe with continental style
This chana and avocado salad is my go-to lunch when I need something fast and healthy! Just load it up with vegetables and top it with a little olive oil and vinegar. Super simple and fresh.
Recipe:
Take 2 avocados and dice them. Squeeze lime juice over the diced pieces. This should be prepared in advance.
You’ll need:
2 cup boiled chana
Feta Cheese – optional, but adds flavour to the salad
Vegetables – lettuce romaine, chicory, cherry tomato, cucumbers, parsley
2 tsp olive oil, apple cider vinegar, or fresh lemon juice
Salt, fresh black pepper, chilli flakes, seasoning oregano, paprika
How to make it:
Put all vegetables, including avocado and chana in a bowl.
Season the chana salad with salt and pepper and sprinkle olive oil and vinegar or lemon juice.
You can also add feta cheese but it’s completely optional and voila! Your salad is ready.
Do try these recipes and stay healthy while curbing your cravings.
