Ingredients

150 g chickpeas, to be soaked in filtered water for around 9 hours then rinsed and drained
200 g soy yogurt, unsweetened, unflavoured and GMO-free
2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
1 teaspoon mild curry powder
1 teaspoon turmeric
whole sea salt, just enough to taste
1 small cucumber, cleaned and diced
1 long green pepper, cleaned and diced
a large handful pf fresh parsley, cleaned and finely chopped
1 small garlic clove, peeled and finely chopped
1 teaspoon cumin seeds, toasted then ground into powder
freshly ground white pepper, to taste

Makes 2 servings.

Directions

Cook the chickpeas until al dente. Rinse them under cold running water, drain well and let cool. In the meantime, combine the soy yogurt, olive oil, curry powder, turmeric and salt in a bowl and whisk until smooth. When the chickpeas are completely cold, transfer them into a sald bowl, add the cucumber, green pepper, parsley and garlic and toss. Stir in the spiced soy yogurt, add the cumin and white pepper, toss again and refrigerate. This salad is best served very cold.

Ingredients

200 g black chickpeas, soaked in cold filtered water for at least 9 hours, or overnight, then washed and drained
150 g quinoa, washed under cold running water
half a red pepper, cleaned and cut into cubes
half a yellow pepper, cleaned and cuto into cubes
8-10 cherry tomatoes, cleaned and cut into quarters
1 carrot, cleaned and cut into cubes
2 hanfuld black pitted olives, chopped
a handful of fresh parsley, cleaned and finely chopped
a handful of fresh basil, cleaned and finely chopped
extra virgin olive oil, to taste
whole sea salt, just enought to taste

Makes 4 servings.

Directions

Cook the chickpeas in unsalted water (add the salt to the pot when the chickpeas are almost completely cooked as salt hardens the outer layer). Cook the quinoa al dente in lightly salted water in a separate pot. Drain well and let cool. When the chickpeas are cooked, rinse them under cold, running water, drain well and let cool. Once the quinoa and chickpeas are cold, transfer them into a sald bowl the stir in the red and yellow pepper, tomatoes, carrot, olives, parsley, basil and toss. Season with the olive oil and salt, mix well and serve.

Ingredients

250 g chickpeas, soaked for 8-10 hours then cooked in filtered water with a pinch of whole sea salt (use canned chickpeas only if you really have to)
8-10 cherry tomatoes (I used black cherry tomatoes), washed and cut into wedges
4 large handfuls of fresh parsley, rinsed, pat dried and more ore less finely chopped
half a red onion, peeled and finely sliced
juice of 1 lemon
a small handful of fresh mint leaves, washed and pat dried, whole or chopped
half a teaspoon of ground cumin
chilli powder, just enough to taste
extra virgin olive oil, to taste
whole sea salt, just enough to taste

Makes 2-4 servings.

Directions

Cook the chickpeas in a pressure cooker or large pot until al dente. Rinse them under cold running water, put them in a salad bowl then let cool completely (first at room temperature, then in the fridge). In the meantime, prepare the vegetables. Once the chickpeas are chilled, add the tomatoes, the parsley, the onion, the lemon juice, the mint, the cumin and the chilli powder. Toss and sprinkle with the the olive oil and salt then toss again and serve immediately.

This is a nice, thick stew for wintery days. The onion, garlic and thyme, togehter with the sweetness of the pumpkin, make this a special, luscious meal. The pumpkin and chickpeas combination will satisfy and fill you up nicely. Also works great as a starter or side dish. Fresh thyme can be substituted with dried thyme.

Makes 2-4 servings.

Ingredients:

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

2 tablespoons filtered or mineral water

½ large onion, halved and finely chopped

1 clove garlic, finely chopped

1 medium-sized pumpkin (butternut, buttercup or autumn cup), peeled and cut into chunks

1 handful fresh thyme (to garnish)

2 cups vegetable stock

400 g cooked chickpeas

1 pinch whole sea salt

1 pinch chili powder

Directions:

In a large pot, heat the olive oil, then add the onion, the garlic and the water and cook over low to medium heat until the onion and garlic are soft and golden. Add the pumpkin, chili pepper, salt and vegetable stock and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat and simmer until the pumpkin is very tender and the stock has been absorbed. Use more stock if needed. Add the chickpeas, stir and cook for 5 more minutes, making sure the pumpkin and the chickpeas are blended together. Remove from the heat, drizzle with some olive oil, top with the thyme and serve warm.

Ingredients makes 4 servings

For the salad

2 cups chickpeas, cooked

green parts of 6-8 Swiss chard leaves, and 2 stems

3 tablespoons oil of your choice for stir fry

whole sea salt, to taste

white pepper

For the dressing

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

1½ teaspoon brown rice miso paste

the juice of 2 lemons

1 teaspoon brown rice syrup

1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

1 tablespoon black sesame seeds

whole sea salt, to taste

Wash well the chard stems and cut off any tough parts. Cut into pieces about 1-2 cm wide. Wash the Swiss chard leaves and chop them up. In a wok heat your chosen oil. Add a little bit of water, throw in the chard stems and leaves, and cook, stirring, until wilted, for a few minutes. Add the chickpeas, sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss. Transfer the Swiss chards to a salad bowl, draining off any liquid, and let it cool while you prepare the dressing.

In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, brown rice syrup, lemon juice, sesame oil and sesame seeds. Melt the miso paste in 1 tablespoon warm water, stirring until dissolved. Add the miso to the rest of the dressing and stir well. Adjust with sea salt (if necessary).

To serve, divide the salad among individual plates and drizzle with the dressing. Add some more sesame seeds, for garnish.

Thoughts, tips, ideas

This is an easy salad which can be served as a very healthy and satisfying main course.
The pronounced nutty flavour of the chickpeas matches perfectly with the mild bitterness of the Swiss chard. The miso and lemon dressing gives the dish a very unique, pleasant, sweet and tangy taste. Use canned chickpeas only if you really have to.