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As the sun shines brightly and the days grow warmer, there's nothing quite like a refreshing salad to invigorate your senses and nourish your body. Enter the Chickpea Sunshine Salad—a colorful, nutritious bowl packed with vibrant ingredients that not only make for a feast for the eyes but also provide a satisfying and healthy meal option. This salad is a celebration of fresh produce, offering a delightful balance of flavors and textures that can serve as either a hearty main course or a delightful side dish.

Healthy Greek Chickpea Salad

Brighten up your meals with the Chickpea Sunshine Salad, a delicious and nutritious dish perfect for warm days. This colorful salad features protein-packed chickpeas, fresh vegetables like cherry tomatoes and cucumbers, and flavorful additions such as Kalamata olives and feta cheese. Easily customizable, it's great for picnics, potlucks, or as a light dinner. With a simple dressing that ties it all together, this salad is both satisfying and a feast for the eyes. Enjoy a healthy bowl of sunshine!
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Ingredients
  

1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, thoroughly rinsed and drained

1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved

1 medium cucumber, diced into bite-sized pieces

1 bell pepper (choose red or yellow for sweetness), diced

1/2 red onion, finely chopped

1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved

1/4 cup feta cheese, crumbled

1/4 cup fresh parsley, roughly chopped

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

1 teaspoon dried oregano

Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Juice of 1 medium lemon

Instructions
 

In a large mixing bowl, combine the rinsed and drained chickpeas with the halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumber, diced bell pepper, finely chopped red onion, and halved Kalamata olives. Mix gently to ensure an even distribution of ingredients.

    Carefully fold in the crumbled feta cheese and chopped fresh parsley, taking care not to break up the feta too much to maintain texture and flavor.

      In a separate small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, freshly squeezed lemon juice, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Mix until the dressing is well combined and emulsified.

        Drizzle the dressing over the salad and use a spoon or spatula to toss gently, ensuring that each ingredient is coated evenly without mashing the ingredients together.

          Taste the salad and adjust seasoning as desired, adding additional salt, pepper, or lemon juice to enhance flavors to your liking.

            Allow the salad to sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes. This resting time helps the flavors to meld together beautifully. Alternatively, you can refrigerate the salad for up to 2 hours if you prefer it chilled.

              When ready to serve, present the salad in a large bowl or individual plates, and garnish with extra parsley or a sprinkle of feta cheese for a delightful finishing touch.

                Prep Time, Total Time, Servings: 10 mins | 25 mins | Serves 4