This is the kind of recipe that will stand up to whatever different vegetables you want to throw in it. (Don’t take that as a challenge.) Really, it’s super versatile: you can switch up the greens for spring mix or arugula, and the sunflower seeds for toasted almonds, or whatever other nuts or seeds your taste buds desire. This salad can also be ready in a flash, especially if you cook the rice in advance. Since rice is the kind of thing you don’t have to stir while it’s cooking, you can leave it alone once it’s simmering and snuggle up with a good book (or textbook) until it’s done.
Mediterranean-inspired chickpea salad
Serves 6
Prep time 15 minutes, cook time 50 minutes
Ingredients
1 ½ cups brown rice (or 3 cups cooked brown rice), cooled to room temperature
½ tsp salt
2 cups cooked chickpeas (or 16oz can)
½ medium red onion, diced fine
2 cups loosely packed, chopped spinach
½ cup coarsely chopped, pitted black olives
½ cup crumbled feta
½ cup toasted sunflower seeds
1 red pepper, cut into ½ inch squares
Dressing
2 small cloves of garlic, minced
Juice of 1 lemon
1 ½ tsp sugar or maple syrup
½ tsp dried tarragon
½ tsp dried basil
½ tsp salt
Pepper, to taste
4 ½ tbsp olive oil
Directions
Rinse the brown rice in a fine mesh strainer (or in a pot, using the lid to drain). Bring the rice to a boil with 3 cups of water and ½ tsp salt in a small-to-medium-sized pot with a tight-fitting lid. Once bubbling, reduce the heat and simmer the rice until tender, about 45-50 minutes or until there’s no water left in the pot. Let cool to room temperature.
Combine all ingredients (except those for the dressing) in a large bowl. For the dressing, put all ingredients (except the olive oil) in a jar, tighten the lid, and give it a shake. You can also use a bowl and a whisk for the dressing, but shaking it in a jar can really help the oil to emulsify properly. Now add the oil and shake vigorously for a minute or until everything is well combined. Add pepper to taste.
Now drizzle the dressing onto your salad ingredients, and stir to combine.
Taste and adjust seasonings to your liking.