Need a quick salad that works as both a satisfying side or a light main dish? This chickpea and tomato salad is exactly that, easy to throw together with ingredients you likely already have in your kitchen. With crisp, refreshing flavors, it's the perfect no-fuss dish for hot summer days.
Chickpeas provide magnesium, a key mineral that supports mood, sleep, and stress resilience. Tomatoes are a natural source of kaempferol, a powerful antioxidant flavonoid linked to reduced inflammation and protection against cognitive decline. And the extra virgin olive oil adds a boost of polyphenols, like oleocanthol and hydroxytryosol, which help guard brain cells from oxidative stress and support long-term brain health.
¼ cup white balsamic vinegar (or white wine vinegar)
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
Salt and pepper to taste
Chickpea Salad Ingredients:
2 cups cooked chickpeas (use canned, rinsed, and drained)
2 cups grape or cherry tomatoes, sliced
½ sweet onion (i.e. Vidalia or Maui), finely chopped
1 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
Optional ingredients/additions: bell pepper, cucumber, celery, Kalamata olives, avocado
Directions
Dressing Instructions:
Combine oil, vinegar, and mustard in a mason jar and shake well to combine, or whisk ingredients together in a glass bowl or liquid measuring cup.
Season to taste with salt and pepper.
Salad Instructions:
Rinse and drain chickpeas. Add to a large mixing or serving bowl.
Slice the tomatoes, finely chop the onion, and chop the cilantro. Add to the chickpeas.
Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and stir well to combine.
Recipe Note
Created by EA Stewart, R.D.N
This recipe was provided by EA Stewart, a registered dietitian nutritionist, health and wellness coach, gluten-free recipe creator, digestive health expert, and vibrant aging enthusiast. She is the founder of the Spicy RD, her online platform where she shares an abundance of recipes, including those tailored to Mediterranean and MIND diets. She is passionate about helping people find a holistic approach to living, and bridging the gap between healthy and delicious food to encourage others to live their healthiest and happiest life.
What you're putting on your plate plays a crucial role in your overall brain health. However, most of us have a hard time following a brain healthy diet every day. RELEVATE makes it easier by providing 17 nutrients from the Mediterranean and MIND diets to fill the gaps where your diet falls short. RELEVATE is designed upon the framework of the evidence-backed Mediterranean and MIND diets, and includes 17 nutrients for long-term brain health. Click here to learn more about RELEVATE.
For more guidance on recipes and brain-healthy eating, explore our FREE Guide on "Learning to Eat Mediterranean" by visiting here.
