Description
This Cottage Cheese Salad recipe features crunchy roasted chickpeas seasoned with smoked paprika and spices, paired with a refreshing mix of cucumbers, tomatoes, and herbs, all layered over creamy cottage cheese. It’s a flavorful and healthy dish perfect for a light lunch or snack, served with pita bread or chips for added texture.
Ingredients
Roasted Chickpeas
- 15 oz can chickpeas (rinsed and drained)
- 1/2 tablespoon olive oil
- 1/2 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
Salad
- 1 cup diced cucumbers
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon red vinegar
- 1 tablespoon chopped dill
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
Assembly
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 2 tablespoons feta cheese
- Extra herbs (for garnish)
- Pita chips or pita bread (for serving, optional)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for roasting the chickpeas.
- Roast Chickpeas: Spread the rinsed and drained chickpeas evenly on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil and sprinkle with smoked paprika, kosher salt, cumin, and black pepper. Toss to coat the chickpeas evenly with the spices. Roast in the preheated oven for 25 minutes until crispy and golden.
- Prepare Salad Mixture: While the chickpeas roast, combine diced cucumbers, diced tomatoes, diced red onion, lemon juice, red vinegar, chopped dill, chopped parsley, and season with kosher salt and black pepper to taste in a medium bowl. Toss gently until well mixed.
- Assemble Salad: Spread the cottage cheese evenly on a serving plate or platter. Layer the cucumber and tomato mixture on top, followed by the crispy roasted chickpeas. Sprinkle the feta cheese and extra herbs over the top.
- Serve: Serve the cottage cheese salad immediately with pita chips or pita bread on the side, or enjoy it plain as a nutritious and flavorful meal.
Notes
- For extra crunch, feel free to add nuts or seeds like toasted sunflower seeds on top.
- Adjust the seasoning with more lemon juice or vinegar if you prefer a tangier salad.
- You can substitute red vinegar with apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar.
- The salad is best served fresh to enjoy the crisp texture of the roasted chickpeas.
- This salad can be easily made gluten-free by choosing gluten-free pita chips or omitting them.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Salad
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
