Chickpea and Tahini Salad III (Perfect Picnic Salad)

I am forever putting together cold chickpea salads for the summer.

Tahini is, of course, one of my favorite condiments for this purpose. For the uninitiated, it is a sesame paste, very thick, that keeps for a long time in the fridge and is critical to Middle Eastern cuisine. A tablespoon adds a depth of flavor, a teeny bit on the bitter side, and a thickness or creaminess of texture to sauces and dressings that I like a lot. Try a basic dressing from a Mediterranean Buffet , a version with soy sauce, or another with tomatoes and herbs. Which I guess means I should call this Chick Pea and Tahini Salad IV, but whatever!)

This time I had dill in the fridge needing to be used up so I figured I would try it. The result was fresh and good. Mint would be a terrific substitute or addition. You can really go in many directions with this one! You can mix it with rice or use it to top a green salad or just eat it right out of the mixing bowl with a spoon while standing in front of the fridge (not that I would ever do that. Uh-uh. Not me).

Light and fresh – perfect side for supper!

Chickpea and Tahini Salad III

1 Tbs lemon juice or red wine vinegar (start with half a tablespoon and increase to your taste)

1 Tbs tahini

1 Tbs extra virgin olive oil

1 Tbs dill, chopped

28oz can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

2 cloves garlic, minced

2 Tbs red onion (a quarter of a medium red onion), sliced thin

Mix or whisk lemon juice or vinegar and tahini together in a bowl. Add remaining ingredients and stir to mix well.

Tags: ceci, chick peas, cooking, dill, food, garbanzos, recipes, sesame paste, summer salads, tahini dressing, vegan, vegetarian

Comments 12 Comments
Categories BBQ, Food, lunch, Picnic, Recipes, salad, Side Dishes, Uncategorized, Vegan, Vegetarian

12 Responses to “Chickpea and Tahini Salad III (Perfect Picnic Salad)”

ceciliag July 24, 2012 at 3:48 am #

we have been eating a lot of chickpeas lately, the dressing for this is interesting, i must try it! c

Reply
- Natalia at Hot, Cheap & Easy July 24, 2012 at 4:49 am #
  
  Let me know how you like it!
  
  Reply
susartandfood July 22, 2012 at 2:33 pm #

We eat a lot of Tahini around here as my other half is from Egypt and introduced me to falafels. This looks wonderful.

Reply
- Natalia at Hot, Cheap & Easy July 22, 2012 at 8:16 pm #
  
  Oooh, would love to get a falafel recipe from you…
  
  Reply
fairyhealthylife July 21, 2012 at 10:07 am #

Looks delicious and simple! Will try soon.

Reply
- Natalia at Hot, Cheap & Easy July 21, 2012 at 1:46 pm #
  
  Gotta love a right-out-of-the-pantry salad!
  
  Reply
twbarritt July 21, 2012 at 9:37 am #

Love chickpeas – one of my favorite, go to legumes!

Reply
- Natalia at Hot, Cheap & Easy July 21, 2012 at 1:47 pm #
  
  Me too! It’s practically its own food group around here!
  
  Reply
Mad Dog July 21, 2012 at 7:19 am #

That looks great and would keep well out of the fridge for a few hours, so definitely good picnic or BBQ food 😉

Reply
- Natalia at Hot, Cheap & Easy July 21, 2012 at 1:47 pm #
  
  And it gets better with a couple of days in the fridge…make loads!
  
  Reply
  - Mad Dog July 21, 2012 at 4:22 pm #
    
    I’m seriously considering making it tomorrow 😉
  - Natalia at Hot, Cheap & Easy July 21, 2012 at 6:06 pm #
    
    Let me know! Especially if you modify….

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