Balela Salad
Balela Salad is a Middle Eastern-inspired dish made with chickpeas, tomatoes, cucumbers, parsley, and a tangy lemon dressing. It’s a healthy, flavorful, and refreshing salad that’s perfect as a side, lunch, or snack.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: No Cook
- Cuisine: Middle Eastern
Ingredients
1 can (15 ounces) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
1 cucumber, diced
1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon ground cumin
1/2 teaspoon ground coriander
1/4 teaspoon ground paprika
Salt and pepper to taste
Optional: Fresh mint leaves for garnish
Instructions
- In a large bowl, combine the chickpeas, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and parsley.
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, cumin, coriander, paprika, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine.
- Taste and adjust seasoning if needed, adding more salt, pepper, or lemon juice for extra flavor.
- Garnish with fresh mint leaves if desired.
- Let the salad sit for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together before serving.
Notes
- For a heartier salad, add grilled chicken, tofu, or feta cheese.
- To make it spicier, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or chopped fresh chili.
- This salad works great as a topping for quinoa or couscous bowls.
- For a lighter version, you can skip the olive oil and use extra lemon juice or vinegar instead.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 190
- Sugar: 6g
- Sodium: 280mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 8g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 25g
- Fiber: 6g
- Protein: 7g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
Find it online: https://thefamilycooking.com/balela-salad/