Heirloom Tomato & Crispy Chickpea Cottage Cheese Salad Recipe

Introduction

This Heirloom Tomato & Crispy Chickpea Cottage Cheese Salad is a refreshing and satisfying dish perfect for warm days. Combining creamy cottage cheese with vibrant tomatoes and crunchy spiced chickpeas, it offers a delightful mix of textures and flavors. Quick to prepare, it’s a great option for a light lunch or a side salad.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cottage cheese (full-fat or low-fat)
• 1 cup heirloom tomatoes, sliced or halved
• 1 (15 oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (for drizzling)

Instructions

1. Step 1: Preheat the oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper.
2. Step 2: Pat the chickpeas dry with a paper towel to remove excess moisture.
3. Step 3: Toss the chickpeas with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until evenly coated.
4. Step 4: Spread the chickpeas in a single layer on the prepared baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes, shaking the pan halfway through, until crispy and golden.
5. Step 5: Spread the cottage cheese onto a serving plate or bowl as the base of the salad.
6. Step 6: Arrange the sliced heirloom tomatoes over the cottage cheese.
7. Step 7: Sprinkle the crispy chickpeas evenly over the salad.
8. Step 8: Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and fresh lemon juice for brightness.
9. Step 9: Garnish with chopped fresh basil to add a fragrant touch.
10. Step 10: Serve immediately on its own or as a side with grilled chicken or fish.

Tips & Variations

• For extra crisp chickpeas, make sure they are well dried before roasting and avoid overcrowding the baking sheet.
• Try substituting fresh basil with fresh mint or parsley for a different herbal note.
• Add a sprinkle of feta cheese or a drizzle of balsamic glaze for additional flavor layers.
• Use different heirloom tomato colors to make the salad visually stunning and varied in taste.

Storage

Store any leftover salad components separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator. The crispy chickpeas are best kept in a sealed container at room temperature to maintain their crunch. Cottage cheese and tomatoes should be consumed within 2 days for freshness. When ready to eat, reassemble the salad and drizzle with lemon juice and olive oil.

How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I make the crispy chickpeas ahead of time?

Yes, you can roast the chickpeas up to a day in advance and store them in an airtight container at room temperature to keep them crisp.

Is this salad suitable for a vegan diet?

The salad contains cottage cheese, which is a dairy product. To make it vegan, substitute cottage cheese with a plant-based alternative like tofu or vegan ricotta.

Heirloom Tomato & Crispy Chickpea Cottage Cheese Salad Recipe

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★★★★★

4.9 from 121 reviews

This vibrant Heirloom Tomato & Crispy Chickpea Cottage Cheese Salad combines creamy cottage cheese with juicy, colorful heirloom tomatoes and crunchy roasted chickpeas seasoned with smoked paprika and garlic. Drizzled with fresh lemon juice and olive oil and garnished with basil, this salad offers a delightful medley of textures and flavors perfect for a light lunch or side dish.

• Author: Leo
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 25 minutes
• Total Time: 35 minutes
• Yield: 2 servings 1x
• Category: Salad
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: American
• Diet: Vegetarian

Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

Salad Base

• 1 cup cottage cheese (full-fat or low-fat)
• 1 cup heirloom tomatoes, sliced or halved

Crispy Chickpeas

• 1 (15 oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• ½ tsp smoked paprika
• ½ tsp garlic powder
• ¼ tsp salt
• ¼ tsp black pepper

Finishing Touches

• 1 tbsp fresh basil, chopped
• 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (for drizzling)

Instructions

1. Make the Crispy Chickpeas: Preheat your oven to 400°F (200°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper. Pat the drained chickpeas dry using a paper towel to remove excess moisture. Toss the chickpeas with olive oil, smoked paprika, garlic powder, salt, and black pepper until well-coated. Spread them evenly on the baking sheet and roast for 20-25 minutes, shaking the pan halfway through to ensure even crisping, until the chickpeas are golden and crispy.
2. Assemble the Salad: Spread the cottage cheese evenly onto a serving plate or bowl. Arrange the sliced or halved heirloom tomatoes over the top, creating a colorful base for the salad.
3. Add Crunch & Drizzle: Sprinkle the crispy roasted chickpeas evenly over the tomatoes and cottage cheese. Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice for brightness and flavor. Garnish with chopped fresh basil for an aromatic finish.
4. Serve & Enjoy: Serve the salad immediately to maintain the chickpeas’ crispiness. It can be enjoyed alone as a wholesome light meal or paired with grilled chicken or fish for a more substantial dish.

Notes

• For extra crispiness, make sure to thoroughly dry the chickpeas before roasting.
• You can use either full-fat or low-fat cottage cheese depending on your preference.
• Heirloom tomatoes add vibrant color and flavor but any ripe tomatoes can be substituted.
• This salad is best consumed fresh to maintain the crunchy texture of chickpeas.
• To keep it vegetarian and higher protein, cottage cheese provides a great source of protein.

Keywords: Heirloom Tomato Salad, Crispy Chickpeas, Cottage Cheese Salad, Vegetarian Salad, Roasted Chickpeas