Description
A refreshing and protein-packed Cottage Cheese and Chickpeas Salad combining creamy cottage cheese with hearty chickpeas and fresh vegetables, tossed in a zesty lemon-cumin dressing. This no-cook salad is perfect for a light lunch or a nutritious side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 1 cup cottage cheese
- 1 cup canned chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1/4 red onion, finely chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- Lettuce leaves, for serving (optional)
Dressing
- 2 tablespoons lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin
Instructions
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, mix together the cottage cheese, chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and parsley until evenly distributed.
- Prepare Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk the lemon juice, olive oil, salt, pepper, and ground cumin thoroughly until well blended, creating a flavorful dressing.
- Toss Salad with Dressing: Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and gently toss to ensure every component is coated evenly with the dressing.
- Season to Taste: Taste the salad mixture and adjust seasoning by adding more salt or pepper as preferred for enhanced flavor.
- Prepare Serving Plate: If desired, line a serving platter or individual plates with fresh lettuce leaves to add a crisp base and presentation element.
- Serve the Salad: Spoon the salad mixture onto the prepared lettuce leaves or serve directly in bowls for a simple presentation.
- Garnish: Add extra chopped parsley on top as a fresh garnish to brighten the dish visually and taste-wise.
- Chill (Optional): Serve immediately or refrigerate for 30 minutes allowing the flavors to meld together and the salad to chill slightly for enhanced taste.
Notes
- This salad is best served fresh but can be chilled for up to 1 day to maintain freshness and flavor.
- Use low-fat or regular cottage cheese depending on your preference or dietary needs.
- Add a pinch of chili flakes for a subtle heat, if desired.
- Lettuce leaves are optional but add a nice texture and make for elegant serving.
- Rinsing canned chickpeas reduces sodium content and improves taste.
