Mixed chickpeas and cape gooseberry salad | Glutenfreewhisk

I absolutely loved this creation of mine. On my salad series month this salad is an absolutely delightful salad that you have to make before the cape gooseberries go out of season. It's not just cape gooseberries that will go out of season its Kinnow or mandarin hybrid that are common in India in winters. Because oranges and Kinnow have different taste and its zest also will give a slightly different flavor.

Cape gooseberries in this salad adds to the crunch, sweet-tangy flavor that is balanced by the sweetness of Mandarin hybrid/orange and dried cranberries. The freshness of this salad comes from mint leaves. I didn't have fresh mint available so I used dried mint and it just elevates the freshness in the similar way as fresh mint would have done. At my home we always keep dried mint and Tulsi leaves always. So, these comes handy on a rainy day.

If you are allergic to walnuts, you can replace it with nut or even seed of your choice. Cashews or almonds will go great as well. Try not to add to much of nuts and seeds as less is good. This salad already has good healthy ingredients thus just one type of seed/nut of choice will be great adding to that crunch and health benefits.

Cape gooseberries have a lot of local names, and everyone called it differently, but the health benefits of cape gooseberry are many. It is rich in vitamin A, C and B complex. It is not only rich in vitamins and minerals. It also is rich in antioxidants, it is amazing for skin, eyes, liver detoxification, boosts immunity, balances blood sugar if eaten in moderation, promotes bone health and the list is long. Although, one should be wary of consuming the unripe cape gooseberries are they are toxic and can be fatal. Always wash your ripe cape gooseberry well and make sure you only eat the perfectly ripe ones.

You can soak and pressure cook both the chickpeas together also. The cooking time for both is the same. When I say this salad is a complete meal and can be eaten for your lunch or dinner as it will provide a good balance of protein, carbohydrates, fiber, vitamin and minerals. For people following vegan diet this mixed chickpea salad will do wonders in terms of flavor, nutrition and feeling of eating something good will be quenched.

The dressing, the taste of everything fits so perfectly that it is par excellence. So don't wait and just soak your chickpeas overnight and pressure cook them, grab rest of the ingredients and indulge.

You can even check my carrot salad recipe or the viral retinol salad as it is called, and I am sure you will love this salad too. Its nutty, crunchy and just perfect for a quick salad fix. And your guest too will ask for the recipe, it's that good.

If you are not into salad and want some meal ideas that are gluten-free then try my garlic moringa mushroom  recipe or soft jowar roti with carrots. 

INGREDIENTS - 

1 cup boiled black chickpeas,

1 cup boiled white chickpeas

Half a cup chopped cape gooseberry

2 tsp dried cranberries, chopped

2 tsp walnuts, chopped

4-5 piece/segments of orange/ kinnow, chopped

2 tsp olive oil

For the salad dressing

1 cup fresh orange/kinnow juice with pulp

1 tsp dried mint leaves

Dash of honey, to taste

salt, to taste

half a tsp black pepper powder

half a tsp roasted cumin powder

For garnish

Chopped cranberries

Chopped walnuts

some dried mint leaves

With so many options to buy from I am using Nutty Gritties dried cranberries and they are soft and delicious.

METHOD - 

1. In a large bowl mix both chickpeas, cape gooseberries, walnuts, cranberries, chopped kinnow segments and toss them together.

2. To make the dressing, add all the dressing ingredients mentioned above in a bowl and whisk it well.

3. To the chickpea howl add 2 tsp of oil, any neutral oil or olive oil will do. Give it toss and add the dressing over it. Give it a final mix so the dressing coats everything well.

4. Serve in individual bowls, garnish with chopped walnuts, cranberries and dried mint leaves and indulge.

Note - You can use orange if you don't have kinnow or mandarin hybrid available. This salad tastes great with orange and mint in it so don't skip them.

If you are looking for some delicate and beautiful salad serving bowl then this Nestasia ceramic microwave and dishwash safe bowl is too beautiful and a must have.

Check the full recipe on YouTube (Gluten_free_whisk) - Mixed chickpeas and cape gooseberry salad recipe

Mixed chickpeas and cape gooseberry salad | Glutenfreewhisk