Waldorf Chickpea Salad With Honey Mustard Dressing

Do you like chickpeas? 

You will love my easy to make Waldorf chickpea salad.

 

This Waldorf Chickpea salad contains celery, parsley (or cilantro), apple chunks, finely grated carrot, cashews, raisins (or Craisins) and scallions dressed in a vegan "honey" mustard dressing.

Quick and Easy 

This healthy salad can be made in under 15 minutes and provides a tasty nutritious lunch that is sure to satisfy.

Eat it your way

This salad can be enjoyed in a sandwich, on a salad plate, with fresh baby spinach leaves, or even to fill a Romaine lettuce cups. I find that this Waldorf chickpea salad is absolutely delicious no matter how it is served. 

Chickpeas are high in protein, fiber, and nutrients

Think of this dish as more than a salad. I consider it an entree because chickpeas offer a significant amount of protein and this salad has a significant amount of chickpeas as the base. Chickpeas are a great replacement for meat in a vegetarian or vegan diet providing 14.5 grams of protein per cooked cup. 

Honey vs maple syrup ?

Honey is not technically vegan so this sweet, tangy, and oil-free honey mustard dressing is made with maple syrup (you could substitute honey if you prefer).

Author of the blog: Judee Algazi

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: none

Serves: 2 

Recipe can be doubled to serve 4 or 2 hungrier eaters

Salad Ingredients: 

1 can of chickpeas (Garbanzo beans), drained and fork mashed (not blended)

1/4 cup of finely diced celery

1/2 cup of finely diced apple 

1/2 cup of very finely shredded carrot (grate on the smallest hole on the grater- it is about 1 carrot.

1/4 cup of sliced scallions

1/4 cup of raisins or Craisins

1/2 cup of chopped parsley or cilantro ( I use cilantro)

1/4 cup of whole raw cashews

Directions: 

Mix the mashed chickpeas and all of the ingredients together in a medium mixing bowl. 

"Honey" Mustard Dressing Ingredients:

1/4 cup of mustard (Dijon or yellow)

3 tablespoons of maple syrup (or honey if you use it)

1 teaspoon of apple cider vinegar or lemon juice

Directions: 

Add the mustard and maple syrup to a small bowl. Using a whisk, whisk the mixture vigorously until well blended. Use this dressing for your salad.

 

My Notes and Thoughts:  

Have you been thinking about cutting down on meat and chicken but sometimes just don't know what to eat or are afraid you won't get enough protein? This high protein, high fiber, nutrient dense salad is a healthy choice for your body and for the environment. 

No more ignoring 

We just can't keep ignoring the fact that chicken and beef industry are not major culprits in producing tons of carbon emissions which plays a major role in polluting our environment. Remember that animal husbandry creates as much carbon emissions as cars, busses, trains, etc." (source)

Eating 2 plant based days/week  

Why not give some strictly plant-based recipes a chance in your weekly menu. It's good for your health and good for the planet to cut down the demand for beef and chicken. If everyone committed to at least 2 plant-based non-dairy days /week, it could really make a difference. 

Chickpeas are a good choice 

Chickpeas provide a good amount of fiber, protein (14.5 grams/cooked cup and nutrients. While chicken in higher in protein, chicken contains zero fiber and very few nutrients. In addition, a cup of cooked cubed chicken has 19 grams of fat as opposed to 4 grams of fat in a cup of cooked chickpeas. Might be better for your heart too!

Another Chickpea Recipe: 

Rice, Chickpea, Avocado Salad -easy, delicious, nutritious

Moroccan Chickpea Salad