Char’s Chickpea ‘Tuna’ Salad

If you’re looking to incorporate more plant protein and fibre into your diet, canned beans are an economical and versatile way to do just that! This chickpea salad is a twist on tuna salad (without the tuna…I laugh every time I say that!!) – and it’s fab slathered between slices of sourdough and/or served on a bed of mixed greens. Note: this is a very ‘loose’ recipe. Meaning, make it work for you and your family, and what you usually add to tuna salad (finely diced celery, finely diced red onion, and/or finely diced pickles are all options to add-in if desired). I made this ‘recipe’ using up things I had in my refrigerator, and it was fantastic!

Ingredients

• 1 (540 mL/19oz) can chickpeas, drained, rinsed and patted slightly dry
• 1/3 cup (75 mL) plain full fat Greek style yogurt (or mayonnaise)
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) lemon juice (or lime juice) you can add zest too
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) Dijon mustard
• 2 tsp (10 mL) hot sauce heat level of choice
• ½ cup (125 mL) chopped green onions
• ¼ cup (60 mL) each chopped fresh parsley and chopped fresh mint
• 2 tbsp (30 mL) capers, patted slightly dry and roughly chopped
• ½ cup (125 mL) Char’s pickled onions, chopped (click here for Char’s pickled onion recipe)
• ¼ tsp (1 mL) salt

Directions

1. Place chickpeas in the bowl of a food processor fitted with a metal blade, and pulse until roughly chopped and chickpeas resemble flaked tuna (you may have to scrape down sides of bowl when pulsing).
2. Place chopped chickpeas in a large mixing bowl and add remaining ingredients.
3. Stir until well combined.
4. Taste and adjust seasoning to taste. Add more salt and lemon juice if desired.
5. Makes about 2 cups (500 mL).

Where to Find ‘Delicious & Doable’ Across Ontario

‘Delicious & Doable ~ Recipes For Real and Everyday Life’ can be purchased here or at one of the below retailers across Ontario:

Type Books ~ 883 Queen Street West, Toronto
Lemonberry ~ 2 Orchard Heights Blvd #10, Aurora
Fanfare Books ~ 92 Ontario St, Stratford
Casual Gourmet ~ 1027 King Street West, Hamilton
The Post Office – 18 Front St. N, Thorold
Chef’s Paradise ~ 1314 Bank Street, Ottawa
Gift It Grey ~ 19492 Opeongo Line, Barry’s Bay
Creative Cook ~ 35 Manitoba St, Bracebridge
Muskoka Brewery ~ 1964 Muskoka Beach Rd, Bracebridge
Stephen’s Butcher Shop ~ 8 Harris St, Port Carling
Hilltop Interiors ~ 1150 ON-141, Rosseau
Cedar Canoe Books ~ 72 Main St E, Huntsville
Clark’s On Main ~ 1090 Main Street, Dorset
Bigley’s Cottage Kitchen ~ 39 Bolton St, Bobcaygeon
Farmer’s Daughter – 72 Main St E, Huntsville
Kitchen Bits ~ 1390 Kingsway, Greater Sudbury