Kale and Chickpea Salad with Lemon Tahini Dressing

Following our previous post about the health benefits of kale, we’re excited to share a delicious and nutritious way to incorporate this leafy green powerhouse into your diet. Kale’s remarkable nutritional profile, rich in vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, makes it a fantastic addition to any meal.

In this recipe, we’ve combined kale with hearty chickpeas, vibrant vegetables, and a zesty lemon tahini dressing to create a salad that’s not only incredibly healthy but also bursting with flavor and texture.

Get ready to elevate your salad game with this kale and chickpea salad, perfect as a meal on its own or as a side dish that complements any cuisine.

Ingredients:

For the Salad:

• 4 cups kale leaves, washed, destemmed, and chopped
• 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1 cucumber, diced
• 1/4 red onion, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh parsley
• 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
• 1/4 cup chopped almonds or walnuts (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the Lemon Tahini Dressing:

• 1/4 cup tahini
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 2 tablespoons water (adjust for desired consistency)
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon olive oil
• 1/2 teaspoon honey or maple syrup (optional)
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions:

For the Lemon Tahini Dressing:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together the tahini, lemon juice, water, minced garlic, olive oil, honey or maple syrup (if using), salt, and pepper. Adjust the amount of water to achieve your desired dressing consistency. Set aside.

For the Salad:

1. In a large salad bowl, place the chopped kale leaves. Drizzle a small amount of the lemon tahini dressing over the kale, and using clean hands, massage the dressing into the kale leaves for a few minutes. This helps to soften the kale and reduce its bitterness.
2. Add the chickpeas, diced red bell pepper, diced cucumber, finely chopped red onion, and chopped fresh parsley to the bowl with the kale.
3. Pour the remaining lemon tahini dressing over the salad ingredients.
4. Toss everything together until the salad is well coated with the dressing.
5. If desired, sprinkle crumbled feta cheese and chopped almonds or walnuts on top of the salad for added flavor and texture.
6. Season the salad with salt and pepper to taste.
7. Let the salad sit for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
8. Serve your kale and chickpea salad as a nutritious and delicious meal or side dish. Enjoy!

This kale and chickpea salad is not only packed with nutrients but also bursting with flavor and texture. The lemon tahini dressing adds a zesty kick to the earthy kale and chickpeas, making it a satisfying and healthy dish for any meal. Feel free to customize it by adding your favorite ingredients like cherry tomatoes, avocado, or grilled chicken for extra protein.