What Carolyn Cooks

In the spirit of open-faced sandwiches, I landed on this recipe for Chickpea Salad (which has many variations if you search) because instead of mixing in a vegan mayo, this recipe calls for mixing in a unique combination of tahini, lemon juice, capers, dijon mustard, garlic, scallions, and cilantro. And, the result?  Delicious!  This recipe is one of the many reasons I enjoy food I make myself versus store bought or even the “best” vegan or non-vegan restaurants.  The sandwich tasted fresh and the perfect balance of flavors.  TBD if it’s a kid-favorite too.

Chickpea Salad Sandwich with Crunchy Red Cabbage

serves 4-6

adapted from Love & Lemons

INGREDIENTS

1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas (or 1 15oz can), rinsed and drained

1 tsp Dijon mustard

2 tbsp tahini

1 garlic clove, roughly chopped

1 1/2 tsp capers

1 scallion chopped

1/4 chopped cilantro, loosely packed

2 tbsp lemon juice, plus a few extra squeezes for the cabbage topping

sea salt and freshly ground pepper

1 cup shredded cabbage

slices of your favorite gluten-free (or wheat) bread

Vegan mayonnaise (I like Just Mayo Light)

Radishes, thinly sliced

Microgreens or arugula

DIRECTIONS

1. In a small food processor* combine chickpeas, mustard, tahini, garlic, capers, scallion, cilantro, lemon juice and a few pinches of salt and pepper.  Pulse until combined and chunky – texture should be about 2/3 smooth and 1/3 garbanzno beans whole-ish
2. Remove from food processor and put in a small bowl. Give everything a mix and mash whole beans with a fork until desired texture.  Chill until ready to serve
3. To make cabbage topping, in a medium bowl, put cabbage and squeeze a lemon a few times (about 1/2-1 tbsp).  Mix in salt and pepper to taste.  Chill for 5 minutes.
4. Toast your bread.  For an open-faced sandwich, top with a little mayo, microgreens, chickpea mixture, radishes, cabbage, and a little more micro greens.  Enjoy!

last few bites