Balela Salad
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
15 mins
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Cook Time
5 mins
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Total Time
20 mins
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Servings
6
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Calories
52 kcal
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Cuisine
Middle Eastern
Balela Salad
Description
This recipe mixes drained chickpeas with garlic, chopped tomatoes, bell pepper, cucumber, and fresh herbs. The lemony dressing flavored with sumac and cayenne pepper adds a vibrant, slightly spicy tang. The salad is best when flavors have time to meld, improving texture and taste. It can be served immediately or chilled for up to two days.
Balela works well as a side dish, or inside toasted pita or flatbread with additional spreads like hummus or tahini. Optional additions include chopped olives or sun-dried tomatoes for more complexity.
Making it ahead allows the ingredients to develop a unified flavor, enhancing the salad’s fresh and zesty qualities.
Ingredients
For the Salad
- 2 ounce chickpeas drained or 3 cups cooked, canned
- 1 clove garlic minced
- 1 pint cherry tomato halved
- 1 red bell pepper diced small
- 1 cucumber chopped small, small
- 1/4 cup mint chopped
- 1/4 cup parsley chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
For the Dressing
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 1/2 tablespoons red wine vinegar or a mix of balsamic and apple cider vinegar
- 3 tablespoons lemon juice or more, to taste
- 1 teaspoon sumac or use cumin, baharat, chipotle
- 1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper or red pepper flakes
- salt to taste
Instructions
- Chop up all your veggies. Add the washed and drained chickpeas, garlic, cherry tomatoes, and bell pepper to a bowl and toss. Add the mint and parsley, and 1/4 teaspoon of the salt, and toss well.
- In a small bowl, combine all the ingredients for the dressing, and mix well.
- Add the dressing to the salad bowl, and toss well to combine, then season to taste with more salt and lemon. Serve immediately, or chill and store for up to 2 days.
Notes
- Prepare the salad at least 30 minutes before serving to allow flavors to blend well.
- Serve as a side dish or stuffed into pita bread with hummus or tahini for a simple lunch.
- Optionally add chopped olives or sun-dried tomatoes to vary the flavor.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 6Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 52 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 52kcal | 3% |
| Carbohydrates | 7g | 2% |
| Protein | 1g | 2% |
| Fat | 3g | 5% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.4g | 2% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 0.3g | 2% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 2g | 10% |
| Sodium | 207mg | 9% |
| Potassium | 322mg | 7% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
| Vitamin A | 1403IU | 28% |
| Vitamin C | 52mg | 58% |
| Calcium | 27mg | 3% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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