Mediterranean Chickpea Feta Salad (Print Version)

Chickpeas, feta, veggies, and herbs marry in a zesty lemon olive oil dressing for a Mediterranean-inspired salad.

# Ingredients:

→ Main Ingredients

01 - 850g (3 cups) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
02 - 75g (1/2 cup) red onion, finely chopped
03 - 150g (1 cup) cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 200g (1 cucumber), peeled, seeded, and diced
05 - 80g (1/2 cup) Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
06 - 115g (4 ounces) feta cheese, crumbled
07 - 30g (1/4 cup) fresh parsley, chopped
08 - 30g (1/4 cup) fresh mint, chopped

→ Dressing

09 - 60ml (1/4 cup) olive oil
10 - 45ml (3 tablespoons) lemon juice
11 - 1 clove garlic, minced
12 - 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
13 - Salt and pepper to taste

# Directions:

01 - Drain and rinse the chickpeas thoroughly. Pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel to remove excess moisture. This will help the dressing adhere better.
02 - Finely chop the red onion. Halve the cherry tomatoes. Peel, seed, and dice the cucumber. Halve the Kalamata olives. Freshly chopped vegetables add the best flavor and texture to this salad.
03 - In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, minced garlic, and dried oregano. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Ensure the dressing is well emulsified for the best flavor distribution.
04 - In a large mixing bowl, combine the chickpeas, red onion, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, Kalamata olives, feta cheese, parsley, and mint. Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to combine. Be careful not to overmix to avoid crushing the feta cheese.
05 - Serve immediately or chill for later. The salad tastes even better after the flavors have had a chance to meld together in the refrigerator. Garnish with extra feta and fresh herbs for an appealing presentation.

# Notes:

01 - Pick firm, ripe cherry tomatoes for the best flavor.
02 - Use good quality feta cheese, preferably imported.
03 - For the freshest herbs, consider sourcing them from a local farmers’ market or growing your own.
04 - Don’t skip rinsing the chickpeas as it removes excess starch and improves texture.
05 - Taste the dressing and adjust seasoning such as lemon juice and salt to balance the flavors.
06 - If you don’t have fresh herbs, dried herbs can be used, but use half the amount.
07 - For a spicier flavor, add a pinch of red pepper flakes to the dressing.
08 - To prevent the salad from becoming soggy, add the dressing just before serving.

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