Happy New Year everyone!! Over the past week, I’ve been cleaning all of the Holiday indulgences out of my fridge and pantry, and replacing them with plenty of healthy goodies.
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Today’s recipe, prepared in partnership with USA Pulses & Pulse Canada, is a vibrant Superfood Salad topped with Easy Roasted Chickpeas. Lacinato kale rubbed with a citrus vinaigrette is the hearty base of this salad. Layers of flavor and color are then arranged on top: cooked quinoa, roasted beets, toasted pistachios, pomegranate arils, microgreens and golden, roasted chickpeas. An extra drizzle of citrus vinaigrette and a final sprinkling of salt and pepper finishes the salad. A celebration of red, yellow, pink and green, this gorgeous salad nourishes both the mind and body. Continue reading for the recipe.
Eating salads is not something that comes natural to me, so for me to really enjoy one, it needs to be exciting. Contrasting flavors. Contrasting textures. Pretty colors. These things help keep me motivated when I’m trying to eat healthier.
This salad in particular contrasts the dark, earthy flavors of beets, kale, and chickpeas with the brightness of pomegranate and a citrus-spiked vinaigrette. Quinoa is added for more substance and pistachios for moments of grassy crunch. Each varied bite of this salad is so satisfying.
Roasted chickpeas are a delicious snack when enjoyed as is, but they’re also tasty sprinkled over any salad. I like to think of them as a gluten-free crouton. Packed with protein, fiber and nutrients, eating chickpeas (and other pulses!) can help maintain a healthy weight and improve overall well-being.
My friends over at USA Pulses & Pulse Canada are currently promoting the Half-Cup Habit where they are encouraging everyone to enjoy 1 1/2 cups of pulses (dry chickpeas, peas, beans and lentils) each week. You can sign up for their email list to get plenty of recipes, tips and digital resources. And you may even see a recipe or two of mine in the mix.
Superfood Salad with Easy Roasted Chickpeas Recipe
Ingredients
For the chickpeas:
- 1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas (prepared from dry*)
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Kosher salt
For the salad:
- 4 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon tangerine juice (or orange juice)
- 1 teaspoon tangerine zest (or orange zest)
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- Kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 2 bunches lacinato kale (also known as Tuscan or dino kale), stems discarded and leaves chopped into bite-sized pieces
- 3 chioggia beets, roasted, peeled and cut into wedges
- 1/3 cup cooked quinoa, at room temperature
- 1/3 cup toasted pistachios, chopped
- 1/2 cup pomegranate arils
- Sprouts or microgreens, for sprinkling
Instructions
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Start by making the roasted chickpeas. Preheat an oven to 400°F. Place chickpeas on a rimmed baking sheet, and toss with olive oil and a couple pinches of salt. Roast, tossing occasionally, until crispy and golden on the outside and creamy within (about 20 minutes). Season to taste with additional salt, and let cool a bit before using on the salad.
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Meanwhile, add olive oil, vinegar, citrus juice and zest, honey and Dijon mustard to a small jar with a couple pinches of salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Secure the lid, and shake until combined. Season to taste with additional salt and pepper.
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Place kale in a large bowl, and drizzle over 3 tablespoons citrus vinaigrette. Using your hands, work the vinaigrette throughout the greens, tossing and massaging as needed. The leaves should be glistening with vinaigrette. Let the salad sit at room temperature for 15 - 20 minutes until the kale leaves are tender.
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Top the kale with beets, quinoa, pistachios, pomegranate arils and roasted chickpeas. Drizzle the toppings with vinaigrette, then finish with a sprinkling microgreens, salt and pepper. Any extra salad will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days. Extra vinaigrette will keep in the fridge for up to 7 days.
Recipe Notes
*I like to brine the dried chickpeas overnight and then cook quickly in my pressure cooker. You'll need 1/2 cup dried chickpeas for this recipe, but I would recommend preparing the chickpeas in bulk and then using in various dishes throughout the week. They're great with pasta or on salads. You can also blend them up into homemade hummus!
This post was written in partnership with USA Pulses & Pulse Canada. Thoughts, opinions and recipes are my own.
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Brian @ A Thought For Food says
I’m definitely more of a soup guy this time of year, but sometimes we have to mix things up. This is such a vibrant salad… and those textures and the citrus. It’s all perfect!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Brian! We’re eating a good amount of soup now as well. Just not during the weeks when it’s 80 😛
averie @ averie cooks says
This is super stunning and I love that it’s vegan but you don’t feel like you’re missing anything because it has so much ‘stuff’ in it. I feel the same way about salads – a bowl of lettuce does nothing for me, it has to be loaded with contrastign textures and flavors. Truly beautiful photography!!!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks so much Averie!! Yeah I’ve got containers of tasty toppings right now in my fridge to keep all my New Years salads exciting.
Lynn @ Oh-So Yummy says
I am pinning this healthy salad for later this month! My current meal plan doesnt have nuts or chickpeas in it so have to wait a little bit longer… Happy New year’s Brandon and I hope to see you at a foodie thing soon!
Brandon Matzek says
Thanks Lynn and Happy New Year!! Yes, hope to see you soon.
Mimi says
A lovely salad! I almost thought you were going to say 1 1/2 cups of dried legumes every day! Even I’d have a hard time with that!
Brandon Matzek says
Haha that would be a lot! Thanks Mimi 🙂
Julie says
Beautiful recipe! If I don’t have a pressure cooker, what is the best way to prep the chick peas prior to roasting? Can’t wait to try this recipe.
Brandon Matzek says
Hey Julie! I’ve had some success with making them in the oven too. Try this method: “For every pound of beans, dissolve 3 tablespoons of salt in 4 quarts of water in a large container. Add the beans and let soak for at least 8 hours or up to 24 hours. Adjust the oven rack to the lower-middle position and heat the oven to 275 degrees. Drain and rinse the beans and transfer them to a Dutch oven along with 4 quarts of water and 1 teaspoon of salt. Bring to a boil over high heat, cover, and transfer to the oven until the beans are tender, 40 to 60 minutes.” Quoted from here.
Felicity Campbell-Smith says
Brandon, you mention in the description of the salad that you like to think of these roasted chickpeas as a carb free crouton. Well I am sorry to say chick peas contain plenty of carbs, and must be left out of a low carb diet.
Felicity
Brandon Matzek says
Hi Felicity, thanks so much for the info. I updated the article above to reflect your suggestion.