Heirloom Tomato & Crispy Chickpea Cottage Cheese Salad Recipe
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.
- 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
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
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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
