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Chickpea Strawberry Spinach Salad

Chickpea Strawberry Spinach Salad
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Discover the refreshing Chickpea Strawberry Spinach Salad, a vibrant and nutritious summer dish combining wholesome chickpeas, juicy strawberries, and fresh spinach with a tangy balsamic vinaigrette. This easy-to-prepare salad balances sweet, savory, and fresh flavors, making it perfect for quick lunches, picnics, or light dinners full of plant-based protein and vitamins.

Ingredients

Scale

Greens & Produce

  • 4 cups fresh baby spinach leaves, washed and dried
  • 1 cup ripe strawberries, hulled and sliced
  • 1/4 cup thinly sliced red onion
  • 2 tablespoons fresh mint or basil, chopped

Protein & Dairy

  • 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed (or 1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas)
  • 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

Nuts

  • 1/4 cup sliced almonds or walnuts, toasted

Dressing

  • 3 tablespoons olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon honey
  • Salt, to taste
  • Freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Instructions

  1. Prepare the Ingredients: Wash and dry the spinach leaves thoroughly to prevent sogginess. Rinse, hull, and slice the strawberries into bite-sized pieces. Drain and rinse canned chickpeas, and thinly slice the red onion.
  2. Toast the Nuts: In a dry skillet over medium heat, lightly toast the sliced almonds or walnuts until they become fragrant and golden brown, about 3–5 minutes, stirring frequently to avoid burning.
  3. Make the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, honey, salt, and freshly ground black pepper until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
  4. Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, combine the spinach, strawberries, chickpeas, red onion, and toasted nuts. Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat everything evenly.
  5. Add Cheese and Herbs: Top the salad with crumbled feta cheese and freshly chopped mint or basil leaves just before serving to preserve their vibrant flavor and freshness.

Notes

  • Pick ripe strawberries: The sweeter and juicier, the better to complement savory elements.
  • Don’t overdress: Start with a little dressing, then add more as needed to keep the salad light and fresh.
  • Dry greens well: Excess water can dilute the dressing and make the salad soggy.
  • Toast nuts just before use: This keeps them crisp and bursting with flavor.
  • Serve immediately: This salad tastes best fresh but can be stored briefly before serving.

Nutrition

Keywords: chickpea salad, strawberry salad, spinach salad, summer salad, healthy salad, plant-based protein, gluten free, vegetarian, light lunch, picnic salad

Find it online: https://marygourmet.com/chickpea-strawberry-spinach-salad/