Chickpea Salad - Balila

Leah's Kitchen's Note:

I love this salad, the ingredients and the flavors are great. It is a fresh yet flavorful salad that can be used as a side dish or main dish lunch as I usually make it. I found this recipe in The Arab Table by: May Bsisu http://www.amazon.com/Arab-Table-Recipes-Culinary-Traditions/dp/0060586141 a few years back and have been making it ever since.

• Total Time: 15 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 0 mins

Ingredients:

Serves: 6-8

Yield: 18.0 cups

• 32 ounces cooked chickpeas
• 1/2 large white onion, finely diced
• 1 jalapeno, seeded and minced
• 2 garlic cloves
• 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
• 1 1/2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
• 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium tomato, chopped-for garnish
• 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped-for garnish
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne, for garnish
• feta cheese, opt*

Directions:

1. Drain and rinse chickpeas(if using canned) and place in a medium sized bowl.
2. Add the onions and jalapeno.
3. Whisk together the garlic, salt, cumin, lemon juice, and olive oil.
4. Pour the dressing over the chickpeas and onions and stir gently to coat the salad.
5. Spoon out into a serving dish and garnish with tomato, parsley, cayenne and feta cheese.
6. Enjoy!

Reviews

[Starrynews]

Wonderful salad! I omitted the salt (personal preference) and used all the garnishes, including the feta. We loved the spiciness of the jalapenos and and cayenne. Thanks for sharing! ZWT6

[UmmBinat]

Almost 4 1/2 stars. I used shallot for the onion and omitted the jalapeño as we don't like really spicy. I used less cayenne out of preference and organic grape tomatoes. We found this quite garlic/oniony. Made for NA*ME Tag.

[Annacia]

Love, love, love it!. Lots of flavor, easy and can be made ahead to allow a marinade time. This is a great side but in the warmer months will be a welcome lighter meal in it's self. I didn't and wouldn't change a thing (with the exception of remembering to add the cayenne and feta *blush*).