Sunshine Salad Curry Chickpea Cottage Cheese Delight
Recipe Introduction
Quick Hook
Fancy a change from boring sarnies? This curry chickpea cottage cheese salad is your ticket! It's sunshine in a bowl.
This is an easy salad recipe that is a symphony of flavors. The curry powder infuses a lovely warmth and it tastes indian inspired.
Brief Overview
This chickpea salad recipe has roots in Indian cuisine. It's a quick, easy, and healthy twist on traditional flavours. This salad is dead easy to make.
It will take about 15 minutes of your time and makes 4 servings.
Main Benefits
Looking for healthy lunch ideas ? This high protein salad is a winner. Cottage cheese is packed with protein. It's a great choice if you are looking for weight loss salad .
This vegetarian lunch is the perfect meal prep salad and it will be your new go-to.
Getting Started
I remember the first time I tried to make a fancy salad. Honestly, it was a disaster. It was all limp lettuce and watery tomatoes.
This recipe, though, is different. It’s a proper cottage cheese salad that even I can’t mess up. The secret? It's all in the ingredients and keeping things simple.
Let's talk ingredients, shall we? You'll need chickpeas, cottage cheese, yogurt, mayo, red onion, cilantro, lemon juice, olive oil, curry powder, cumin, salt, pepper and a few optional goodies.
Specifically you will need 1 (15-ounce/425g) can chickpeas, 1 cup (225g) full fat cottage cheese, 1/4 cup (60ml) plain yogurt and 2 tablespoons mayonnaise, You know, the usual suspects!
Time to Stock Up: Ingredients & Equipment
Ready to make some Sunshine Salad: Curry Chickpea Cottage Cheese Delight ? This chickpea salad recipe is a winner. It’s way better than boring desk lunches.
Trust me! It is an indian inspired salad and a great vegetarian lunch option.
Main Ingredients for a Dynamite Salad
Alright, let's talk ingredients. No need to panic, it's mostly stuff you probably have already. This high protein salad is a game changer.
- Chickpeas : 1 ( 15-ounce/425g ) can, drained and rinsed like crazy. Seriously, rinse those bad boys well!
- Cottage Cheese : 1 cup (225g) . Go for the good stuff. Full fat is my personal preference for best flavor.
- Yogurt : 1/4 cup (60ml) plain yogurt, or Greek yogurt for that extra zing!
- Mayonnaise : 2 tablespoons (30ml) . Don't skimp here either. Full fat is king. Light works too though.
- Red Onion : 2 tablespoons (30g) finely chopped. Adds that lovely little bite.
- Cilantro : 1/4 cup (10g) finely chopped. Fresh is always better, you know?
- Lemon Juice : 2 tablespoons (30ml) . Freshly squeezed. Please. Bottled is just wrong .
- Olive Oil : 1 tablespoon (15ml) . Extra virgin, for that classy touch.
- Curry Powder : 1-2 teaspoons . Madras curry powder is pretty spot-on. Adjust to your taste. We are making a curry chickpea salad .
- Cumin : 1/2 teaspoon ground cumin, for that extra oomph .
- Salt & Pepper : 1/4 teaspoon each, or to taste. Seasoning is everything.
- Raisins or Sultanas (Optional) : 1/4 cup (30g) . Adds a bit of sweetness.
- Toasted Almonds or Cashews (Optional) : 1/4 cup (30g) . For a bit of crunch , because texture matters.
Seasoning Notes: Spice It Up
Want a taste of indian inspired salad ? Use a good quality curry powder . Cumin adds an earthy note. Don't be shy with the lemon juice! A bit of chili can make this weight loss salad extra special.
Equipment Needed: Keep It Simple
You don’t need any fancy gear. It's an easy salad recipes . I swear.
- Large Mixing Bowl
- Measuring Cups and Spoons
- Cutting Board
- Chef's Knife
- Can Opener
- A non-stick pan (optional)
Basically, if you can boil an egg, you can nail this cottage cheese salad . Let's get cooking! And If you want more healthy lunch ideas then go check my other salad recipes!
Sunshine Salad: Nailing the Curry Chickpea Cottage Cheese Delight
Fancy a break from boring lunches? This curry chickpea cottage cheese salad is your answer. It’s seriously easy and packed with flavor.
It's the perfect healthy lunch idea ! Honestly, you’ll be making this all the time.
Prep Like a Pro: Your Mise en Place Magic
First, get everything ready. Drain and rinse your chickpeas. Chop your red onion and cilantro finely. Got a good quality curry powder? Get it ready! Oh my gosh. We're set!
step-by-step to Sunshine: Making the Magic Happen
- Rinse the chickpeas. Then dry them really well. This prevents a soggy salad.
- In a big bowl, mix the cottage cheese , yogurt, mayo, red onion, and cilantro.
- Add lemon juice, olive oil, curry powder , cumin, salt, and pepper. Stir well!
- Gently fold in those dried chickpeas. Be careful not to squash them.
- Taste the salad! Add more spice if you want. Is it missing lemon? This is when you adjust to your liking!
- Cover and chill for at least 30 minutes . This lets the flavors meld.
- Serve it up, and enjoy this easy salad recipe !
Pro Tips for a Perfect Salad
Want to take it up a notch? Toast some almonds or cashews for crunch. Trust me, it's worth it! Also, avoid overmixing the salad you want those chickpeas to stay whole.
If you're making this ahead, store the dressing separately. Add it just before serving to prevent sogginess. Remember this is great for meal prep salad sessions!
This high protein salad is also great for weight loss salad plans. Plus, it's an indian inspired salad ! So there you have it! Now you know the secret to the best curry chickpea cottage cheese salad .
It's a winner!
Recipe Notes for Your Sunshine Salad
Right, so you're about to whip up this fantastic curry chickpea cottage cheese salad ! Here are some extra bits and bobs to make sure it’s absolutely spot on.
Honestly, it's one of those easy salad recipes that even I can't mess up and that's saying something!
Serving Suggestions That'll Impress
Think of this salad as a blank canvas. Fancy a bit of posh nosh? Serve a scoop on a bed of mixed greens.
For a fun, handheld lunch, stuff it into pita pockets. I once served it alongside grilled chicken. Blimey, it was good! A dollop of mango chutney? That works a treat, adding a sweet and spicy kick.
So, you see plating and presentation matters!
Storage Tips: Keeping it Fresh
Pop any leftovers of this chickpea salad recipe in an airtight container. It'll happily sit in the fridge for up to three days.
Sadly, freezing this isn't the best shout. Cottage cheese tends to get a bit weird after thawing. When you're ready to tuck in again, give it a good stir.
The flavours will have really settled in.
Variations: Make it Your Own
Got a dietary need? No sweat. For a vegan version , swap the cottage cheese and yogurt for plant based alternatives.
There are some decent ones out there! Fancy a bit of spice? Chuck in a pinch of cayenne pepper. A little bit of curry powder goes a long way.
You could try adding chopped mango or apple for a sweet twist as a seasonal ingredient swap .
Nutrition Basics: Goodness in Every Bite
This curry chickpea cottage cheese salad is more than just tasty. It's packed with protein thanks to the chickpeas and cottage cheese, making it a fab high protein salad .
It's a great option for a healthy lunch ! It's also got decent fibre, keeping you feeling full and satisfied.
Perfect if you’re after a weight loss salad or some healthy lunch ideas . This indian inspired salad is an experience you do not want to miss!
So there you have it! A few extra pointers to make your Sunshine Salad even better. It's such a simple recipe.
I am sure that this cottage cheese salad will become your go-to for meal prep. Enjoy!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make this curry chickpea cottage cheese salad ahead of time? I'm proper busy, you know!
Absolutely! In fact, this curry chickpea cottage cheese salad is even better after chilling for at least 30 minutes, or even overnight. The flavors meld together beautifully. Just give it a good stir before serving. It will last in the fridge for up to 3 days, but it's best eaten fresh.
I'm not a fan of cottage cheese. Is there anything else I can use in this curry chickpea salad?
No worries, mate! If you're not keen on cottage cheese, you could try using Greek yogurt for a tangy twist, or even drained silken tofu for a vegan alternative. Another option would be a mashed avocado for creaminess and healthy fats, although the flavor profile will change slightly.
A soft goat cheese might also be interesting!
How spicy is this curry chickpea cottage cheese salad recipe? I like a bit of a kick!
The spice level is pretty mild to start, but it’s easy to adjust! Start with the suggested amount of curry powder (1-2 teaspoons) and taste as you go. If you want more heat, add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a finely chopped fresh chili. Using a hot curry powder like Madras will also ramp up the spice factor.
You can also add sweet mango chutney for a sweeter contrast to the spice.
What are some good serving suggestions for this curry chickpea cottage cheese salad?
This salad is super versatile! You can serve it on a bed of lettuce for a light lunch, stuff it into pita pockets for a more substantial meal, or serve it as a side with grilled chicken or fish. It also makes a great potluck dish.
For a true taste of England, try having it with naan bread and chutney, with poppadoms as a starter.
Is the curry chickpea cottage cheese salad healthy? I'm watching my waistline, you see.
It certainly can be! This recipe is packed with protein from the chickpeas and cottage cheese, plus fiber and healthy fats. To keep it extra healthy, use full fat cottage cheese for extra creaminess that pairs well with the curry, watch your portion sizes, and consider using light mayonnaise.
Also be mindful of sodium levels if you're sensitive to salt.
My curry chickpea cottage cheese salad is a bit bland. What can I do to liven it up?
Bland, eh? Sounds like it's missing a bit of oomph. First, make sure you've used enough salt, pepper, and curry powder these are key! A squeeze of fresh lemon juice can also brighten the flavors.
Finally, consider adding a touch of sweetness with raisins or sultanas, or a pop of acidity with a bit of mango pickle (careful, it's potent stuff!).
Sunshine Salad Curry Chickpea Cottage Cheese Del
Ingredients:
Instructions:
Nutrition Facts:
| Calories | 280 |
|---|---|
| Fat | 15g |
| Fiber | 7g |
