Nutritious Meal for Post-Valentine Detox!
Valentine’s indulgences often leave your body craving something nourishing and light. What better way to give yourself a break than with a vibrant, wholesome chickpea salad that’s as delicious as it is nourishing?
This Mediterranean-inspired dish is a symphony of flavors and textures—crisp cucumbers, tender chickpeas, juicy green tomatoes, fresh herbs, and crunchy walnuts, all brought to life with a tangy lemon dressing. Chickpeas provide plant-based protein and fiber, while colorful veggies and walnuts deliver essential vitamins, minerals, and omega-3s for your heart.
Perfect as a side or a main, this salad will refresh and energize you with every bite!
Serves: 2
Preparation Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Ingredients:
1 cup cooked unpolished chickpeas (soaked and boiled)
2 cups mixed salad greens (spinach, arugula, or romaine lettuce)
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cucumber, sliced
1/2 onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup chopped walnuts
2 tbsp pumpkin seeds
Juice of 1 lemon
1/2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1 clove garlic, minced
Salt and black pepper to taste
Method:
- In a large salad bowl, combine the cooked chickpeas, mixed salad greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber slices, onion, chopped walnuts, and pumpkin seeds.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the lemon juice, extra virgin olive oil, minced garlic, salt, and pepper to make the dressing.
- Drizzle the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all the ingredients evenly.
- Let the salad sit for a few minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
- Serve the heart-friendly salad as a nutritious and satisfying meal or a side dish.
Notes:
- Chickpeas are a good source of vitamins and minerals, including folate, magnesium, and iron. Folate helps to lower levels of homocysteine, an amino acid linked to an increased risk of heart disease.
- Omega-3 fatty acids, present in walnuts, particularly alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), have been associated with numerous heart health benefits, including reducing inflammation, improving blood vessel function, and lowering the risk of heart disease.
- Pumpkin seeds contain antioxidants, including vitamin E and phenolic compounds, which help to reduce inflammation and oxidative stress in the body.
Nutritional information per serving:
Total Calories 140 kcal
Total Carbohydrates 17 g
Total Protein 5.4 g
Total Fat 7.1 g
Disclaimer: Please keep your healthcare provider in the loop before introducing any new food item or beauty product into your lifestyle, especially if you have a medical health condition or are on medications. In case you are allergic to certain foods, please avoid them.
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