Crispy Chickpea Salad Food

CRISPY CHICKPEA SALAD

Steps:

• Roast the chickpeas: Drain, rinse and pat dry the chickpeas; let sit 30 minutes on a paper towel-lined plate to let them dry out. Preheat the oven to 350˚ F. Dump the chickpeas onto a rimmed baking sheet. Toss with the olive oil and season with salt and pepper. Roast, tossing occasionally, until crisp and dry, about 50 minutes. Let cool.
• While the chickpeas cool, bake the croutons: Toss the pita pieces with the butter and a pinch of salt on another baking sheet. Bake until golden brown, about 10 minutes. Let cool. (You can store the chickpeas and the croutons in separate containers at room temperature for up to 4 days.)
• Make the dressing: Mix the tahini, lemon juice and 3 to 4 tablespoons water in a bowl until creamy and pourable. Season with salt and pepper. (You can put the dressing in a cute jar and store it in the fridge for up to 5 days. If it gets too thick to pour, mix in a little water before using.)
• Make the salad: Combine the spinach, tomatoes, cucumber, onion, radishes and mint in a large bowl. Add the feta, za'atar, dressing and chickpeas and gently toss. Top with the croutons.

CHOPPED ICEBERG SALAD WITH BUTTERMILK DRESSING AND CRISPY CHICKPEAS

Steps:

• For the onions: To pickle the onions, bring the vinegar, sugar, a pinch of salt and 1 cup water to a boil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Put the onions in a small heatproof bowl and pour the pickling liquid over them. Let the onions cool to room temperature on the counter. Transfer to a resealable container and store in the refrigerator until ready to use.
• For the buttermilk dressing: In a large bowl, whisk together the sour cream, buttermilk and mayonnaise. Add the dill, hot sauce, Worcestershire, garlic powder, garlic and salt and pepper to taste. Set aside. If too thick, add a splash of more buttermilk or water to adjust.
• For the chickpeas: Pour the oil into a small, heavy-bottomed pot and heat over medium heat until it registers 350 degrees F on a deep-fry thermometer. Fit a baking sheet with a wire rack.
• Season the chickpeas with the paprika and salt and pepper to taste. Using a slotted spoon, drop half of the chickpeas into the hot oil and fry until browned and crispy, 3 to 5 minutes. Transfer the fried chickpeas with the slotted spoon to the prepared baking sheet. Repeat with the remaining chickpeas.
• For the salad: Spread the iceberg lettuce on a baking sheet and season liberally with salt and pepper. Drizzle with the dressing and follow with a layer of the scallions. Top with the pickled onions (drained of their liquid) and the crispy chickpeas. Season to taste.

CRISPY CHICKPEA PANCAKES WITH ROASTED MUSHROOM SALAD

Steps:

• Make the pancake batter: Pour the warm water into a large mixing bowl and gradually whisk in the chickpea flour in small amounts to avoid lumps. Add the salt, pepper and 2 tablespoons oil, and whisk again until smooth. The batter should be the consistency of heavy cream. If it's too thick, whisk in more warm water, 1 tablespoon at a time. If the batter is lumpy, use an immersion blender or blender to get it nice and smooth. Set the batter aside at room temperature for about 2 hours.
• Make the topping: Position racks near the top and bottom of the oven, and heat oven to 450 degrees. Roughly chop or tear the mushrooms and toss with 2 tablespoons oil and the kosher salt on a sheet pan. Spread the mushrooms in an even layer and roast on the top rack for about 20 minutes, or until lightly browned, mixing the mushrooms midway so they cook evenly.
• Meanwhile, make the pancakes: Heat 2 tablespoons oil in an 8- or 9-inch frying pan with an ovenproof handle over medium. When the oil is hot, swirl it to evenly coat the bottom of the pan and pour in half the chickpea batter. It should be about ¼ inch deep. When the bottom is set, after about 1 minute, slide the pan onto the lower oven rack and bake for about 10 minutes, or until the edges are golden brown and crisp, but the center is still tender. Use a spatula to release the edges and slide it onto a cutting board. Repeat with the remaining 2 tablespoons oil and the remaining batter.
• Tear the radicchio leaves into bite-size pieces, then add to the sheet pan of slightly cooled mushrooms along with the vinegar and remaining tablespoon oil. Season with the flaky salt and black pepper, and mix well. Cut the pancakes into squares, transfer to serving plates, top with the mushroom mix and eat while still warm.

CRUNCHY CHICKPEA SALAD

Steps:

• Cook the bulghar wheat according to packet instructions. Allow to cool. Lightly toast the pine nuts in a non-stick pan over a low heat, until golden.
• Put all the salad ingredients into a bowl and toss together well. Taste and adjust the seasoning if necessary. Serve piled on to plates or into bowls with iceberg lettuce, radishes, red pepper and celery.