27 January 2011

Chickpea and Spinach Salad with Cumin for My Legume Love Affair

Chickpea and Spinach Salad with Cumin

Simona, the talented author of Briciole, is hosting My Legume Love Affair #31 the legume-centered event that is the brainchild of Susan of The Well-Seasoned Cook. One of my promises to myself in 2011 is that I would continue to introduce more heart friendly and subsequently lighter dishes into my menus. Submitting a recipe to My Legume Love Affair seemed a good way to continue to steer me on the right path.

My favourite legume is still the lowly chickpea or garbanzo bean. Garbanzo beans (like most legumes) have long been valued for their fiber content. There's now direct evidence about garbanzo beans and appetite! Participants in recent studies reported they consumed less food overall when the diet was supplemented with garbanzo beans. Just like eating 6 sticks of celery for a mid afternoon snack reduces your appetite. Yay for fiber!!!

This particular recipe comes to me from the Leite's Culinaria newsletter from Elie Krieger. Ellie says on Leite's Culnaria, "In this chickpea and spinach salad recipe, the versatile chickpea goes exotic in a deeply spiced, aromatic lemon and cumin dressing. Herbs punch it up with an unmistakable freshness, and the spinach provides a tender bed. An orange-infused yogurt topping for the salad creates a cool, creamy contrast. It’s great served with spiced pita chips or fresh bread."

I have also entered this recipe into Roz of La Bella Vita's Fresh, Clean and Pure Fridays.

**Chickpea and Spinach Salad with Cumin**
adapted from Ellie Krieger Quick and Fresh

One 15.5-ounce can chickpeas, preferably low-sodium, drained and rinsed
2 tablespoons chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/4 cup diced red onion
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1/4 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest
3/4 teaspoon ground cumin
Pinch of cayenne pepper
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste
3 tablespoons plain nonfat yogurt
1 tablespoon orange juice
1/4 teaspoon finely grated orange zest
1/4 teaspoon honey
2 ounces baby spinach leaves (about 2 cups lightly packed)
1 tablespoon coarsely chopped fresh mint

 In a medium bowl, combine the chickpeas, parsley, and onion. In a small bowl, whisk together the oil, lemon juice and zest, cumin, cayenne, salt, and black pepper. Pour the dressing over the chickpea mixture and toss to coat evenly.

 In another small bowl, stir the yogurt, orange juice and zest, and honey.

 Divide the spinach leaves among 4 plates. Spoon the chickpea mixture over the spinach. Top with the yogurt sauce and sprinkle with the mint.

Serves 4

You are reading this post on More Than Burnt Toast at http://morethanburnttoast.blogspot.com. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to the author/owner of More Than Burnt Toast. All rights reserved by Valerie Harrison.
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37 comments:

  1. A toothsome combination! Legumes are some of my favorite foods.

    Cheers,

    Rosa

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  2. I've never met a legume I didn't like!

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  3. I am a huge chickpea lover as well and I always try to have some on hand for when I find recipes like this...that I absolutely need to eat immediately!

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  4. I love the look of this salad and the list of ingredients is quite intriguing. I am bookmarking this recipe for possible use with my baby Swiss chard. We are having a nice spell of warm weather, so my little plants are growing a bit. Thank you so much for your contribution to MLLA!

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  5. I've made this salad before and it is really good. My kids love to snack on chickpeas- they are delicious. Looks great!

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  6. What a healthy combination Val - chickpeas and spinach. Add the cumin and you've created a masterpiece.

    I also love the flavors of a dish when it contains citrus zest. Whoever thought of using the zest of citrus should get a medal.
    Sam

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  7. That looks so good and light.

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  8. I'm also a chickpea fan, and I think it's one of those foods you can go any direction with. I do think I prefer the spicy route, like you did here, ever so slightly, though.

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  9. What a lovely idea with chickpeas, sounds so flavoursome, looks great too.

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  10. Chickpea and spinach is such a good combo isn't it?

    I will send you the link of the chickpea and spinach saute I did for an About.com post as soon as it is up. I am sure that you will like it.

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  11. This looks like a good and healthy salad. I think garbanzos are the best!

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  12. A lovely salad, the combination of spinach and chickpeas sounds excellent and nice flavors with cumin!

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  13. I came by after noticing the "love affair" subject thinking this would be a "steamy" post. Alas, it's not but I'm quite happy to find that it is about "heart" and am pleased to have a delicious recipe containing every ingredient that we like a lot!

    Best,
    Bonnie

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  14. Just this month I reconstituted chick peas for the first time after Christmas in November with Bal Arneson's inspiring session. They were NOTHING like the ones in the can. Canned chickpeas are great for hummus - actually almost better than the reconstituted ones, as they are wetter. But, I have NEVER liked salads with chickpeas and I am now addicted. I also vowed to do more legumes in this new year... thus, the Barlotti Beans (reconstituted and prepped by moi for the chili I just posted. I have a hummus post to publish, but am in no rush... now I am thinking - gee, can I make the deadline for this? I thought "everyone knows how to make hummus!", but - NO. I have 6 students in my cooking class Saturday all dying to know that had put out big bucks buying it and were shocked to learn how simple it really was. This post is for them.... when I post it. This salad I must try!
    :)
    Valerie

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  15. Chickpeas are my favorite legume too! :-) GORGEOUS salad!!!

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  16. Val this look amazing and delicious!! gloria

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  17. I'm with you, Val, about eating healthier this year. I just happen to have all the ingredient needed for this recipe so it's on for tonight's dinner. Cumin is one of my favorite seasonings.

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  18. That does sound wonderful. I love chickpeas, spinach, cumin, everything in this salad. I'm looking for a good bulgur side. Got one?

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  19. I like this one Rosemary:D

    http://impeccabletasty.blogspot.com/2011/01/bulgur-pomegranate-and-walnut-salad.html

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  20. What a wonderful recipe! I love your blog. I'm stopping by from Fresh, Clean and Pure Friday and have just added your blog to my Reader. Have a wonderful weekend, Candace

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  21. Chickpeas are one of my favorite legumes too, the other being cannellini. Great salad

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  22. Cumin & orange...love this combo in your tasty winter salad here.

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  23. i love all beans, but there's something special about the texture of chickpeas. terrific flavors here, val!

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  24. What a great flavor combo, Val! I love chickpeas so much! thanks also, for sharing over on my link-up today. I am preparing my "red" Cooking Light Virtual Supper Club recipe this weekend and hubby is completely excited about it, as am I! All the best to you, Roz

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  25. Cumin is my favorite spice. In Morocco, we use it in all kinds of dishes. I need to include more legumes in my life!

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  26. This is a lovely salad, Val. I really like chick peas and love this type of recipe.It will be put to good use in my kitchen. I hope you have a great evening. Blessings...Mary

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  27. This looks so yummy! I am going to try this for sure. Thanks fr sharing.
    Matilda @ SickOfFood

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  28. I agree with you about chickpeas, Val. In fact, bring on any and all legume recipes! This one is so hearty and healthy too. Nice refreshing dressing as well.

    Love your valentine background!!

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  29. Dear Vall this look absolutely nice and delicious! xx gloria

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  30. Healthy food can be so bland sometimes, but never here in MTBT. Excellent Val, sorry for my absense dear, my life has taken quite a turn this year!!

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  31. I can't wait to try this. It's not only delicious sounding, but healthy to boot- something I have to make more of a priority.

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  32. Hubby and I are eating heart healthy these days, and legumes find their way into many of our dishes. This chickpea salad looks wonderful!

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  33. a chickpea salad is so appetizing and so lovely to enjoy year round! we eat them a lot but never use them in salad so it's a nice break to eat them that way!

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  34. I too adore chickpeas...I love what you have done here Val. especially with that gorgeous orange and yoghurt dressing!

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  35. I pretty much love anything with chick peas! Delicious looking salad, Val!t

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  36. Gorgeous salad...very flavorful and fresh :)

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  37. I love all the fresh, clean flavors in this salad---one of my favorite ways to enjoy chuck peas!

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Welcome to my home. Thank you for choosing to stay a while and for sharing our lives through food. I appreciate all your support, comments, suggestions, and daily encouragement.

Val

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