When I was a little kid, salad predominantly meant a combination of onions, tomatoes and cucumbers with a pinch of salt, pepper and lime juice. Mostly in Indian households, salad is a side-dish and is hardly prepared or served as the main dish. Only stepping out of India got me to know that salads can get as creative and satisfying as you would want them to be! A main-course salad dish has since then become one of my go-to meals on a hectic day. They can not only fill you up with fiber and protein, salads are quick to pull together and make a nice filling meal on a hot day.
The following recipe includes the goodness of sweet potatoes, black chickpeas, spinach and avocados. Black chickpea (Or Kala Chana) has a very high fiber content and low glycemic index, which makes this a powerfood for those fighting Diabetes. Sweet potatoes, baked or roasted, make a wonderful substitution to normal potatoes when cutting carbs. The addition of spinach and avocado adds on to the overall nutritional element of this dish. The other day, I got my hands on fresh dill weed, a lovely herb that is known to have disease preventing, health promoting properties. Whipping up a quick and healthy dill yogurt dressing can be sheer bliss for any salad recipe.
Sometimes, a colorful hearty salad is all you need for a stellar meal!
Ingredients:
Sweet potatoes – 2 (peeled)
Black chickpeas / Kala chana – a handful (soaked for 5-6 hours)
Italian herb seasoning – 1/4 tsp
Spinach leaves – washed and chopped roughly
Avocado- peeled and cubed
Onion – 1 (finely chopped)
Tomato – 1 (finely chopped) [Alternatively, you can use halved cherry tomatoes]
For the dressing:
Yogurt – 1 tbsp
Fresh Dill weed – Roughly chopped
Pesto flavored Olive Oil – 1 tsp (You can also use EVOO)
Salt – to taste
Black pepper – 1/4 tsp
Lemon juice – 1 tsp
Lemon zest – 1/4 tsp
Method:
Peel the sweet potatoes. Preheat your oven to 190 degree celsius.
Rub the sweet potatoes with some salt, pepper, mixed Italian herb seasoning and olive oil. Sprinkle dill on top. Bake them in the oven for around 20-25 mins or until they are done.
Pressure cook the black chickpeas for 20 mins. Saute them in a pan with very little oil, red chilli powder, cumin powder, some salt and black pepper powder for a few mins.
Prepare the dressing by mixing yogurt, dill, olive oil, salt, pepper, lemon juice and lemon zest.
P.S: Be careful with the salt in dressing as we are adding salt to the sweet potatoes and chickpeas too.
Now assemble the salad.
In a large mixing bowl, add the finely chopped onions, tomatoes and the cubed avocados.
Add the roasted sweet potatoes, spiced black chickpeas and the washed spinach leaves.
Drizzle the yogurt dill dressing on top.
Give everything a good mix and pop the salad into the fridge for at least 30 mins.
The lovely colorful healthy salad can be enjoyed as a main-course meal. It is filling nutritious and delicious, and a great way to have a one-bowl meal with all healthy ingredients combined together! Enjoy.
Yum! This is a great meal, all in one bowl!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Indeed Dolly! Thanks so much 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Dear Mona, I have been remiss in not letting you know that I have nominated you for a Sunshine Blogger Award. I apologize, and here is the link https://koolkosherkitchen.wordpress.com/2016/10/11/more-awards-and-a-dinner/ You are not in any way obligated to accept, and I fully understand that not everyone has the time and inclination to participate in these self-and-others-promoting exercises. Therefore, I will truly appreciate if you accept the nomination, as I sincerely think you deserve it, but I won’t get offended if you don’t. Nominating each one of you is my way of giving credit to some exceptional bloggers and perhaps attracting attention to your work.
All the best,
Dolly
LikeLike
Unique recipe!
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thank you Rashmi😊
LikeLike
Wow!! That’s so colourful. We have a similar preparation in Bihar, it’s called ‘Ghoogni’. We have it along with ‘moodhi'(called Murmura in Delhi)..together called ‘moodhi ghoogni’ !!☺👍 good one!!☺
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yes I know even bengalis are very fond of moodhi😊. Love ghoogni with moodhi😍
LikeLiked by 1 person
Such a colourful salad. A complete meal packed with all the nutrients. Well written post to go with it. Super Mona 😊😊
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you Radhika 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
A pleasure!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Mona…..Very nice and colorful….I wish I could say something in bengali 🙂
LikeLiked by 4 people
Thank you Steve! Dont worry you can say in konkani too…I will understand! 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh…. You said something….. For which you deserve a hug ((H))……:)
LikeLiked by 1 person
hugs 🙂 ❤
LikeLiked by 1 person
How do you know that I can speak konkani
LikeLiked by 1 person
I don’t know…just intuition I would say! My husband is also Konkani, so I understand the language and also the people 😉
LikeLiked by 1 person
Oh intuitive 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow I never thought of that..yummy and healthy.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks so much Anju!😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
🍝🍜🍔🍲
LikeLiked by 1 person
Delicious!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you Kiran😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
Your salad dish is looking so colourful , delicious ingredients and of-course healthy !
Very good recipe !
LikeLiked by 3 people
Onek dhonnobad dearie!! ;0
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very tasty salad ! I really like your idea of adding black chickpeas .. it gives a nice texture to the salad . Love it
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks dear! Yes indeed, the black chickpea gives a great texture to the salad! 🙂
LikeLike
I love the different colors and textures of this dish and so nutritious too.
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks so much 🙂
LikeLike
WOW! Looks so healthy and delicious!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you Archana!
LikeLiked by 1 person
It can be a meal itself…yummylicious😊
LikeLiked by 2 people
Indeed! Thanks Lathi 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Always enjoy salads for dinner. We eat them a couple of times per week. I’ll have to try adding sweet potatoes! –Curt
LikeLiked by 3 people
Same here Curt! Salads are a great way to enjoy quick weeknight dinners. Thanks so much!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Amazing! Must be so delicious 😊
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks Shreya! It was delicious indeed 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This looks so colorful and tasty!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thank you Utkarshini 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Wow! It’s bursting with flavor. My kind of food nowadays. And, it’s all from scratch. I love it. ❤
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yes Anna, mine too! Cooking food from scratch is the best as it’s pure, natural and full of flavors. Thanks so much for your kind words. Enjoy your day! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
Very well said.
Thanks.
LikeLiked by 1 person
So beautiful colours! Must be very delicious!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Yes it was delicious indeed! Thanks so much 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a great healthy dish!
LikeLiked by 3 people
Thanks so much! 🙂
LikeLike
Just another beautiful healthy dish. It appears the recipes are endless. … and people complain eating healthy offers NO VARIETY!
LikeLiked by 3 people
I agree doctor if one wants to go healthy, possibilities are endless. Healthy food does offer variety, we just need to be a little creative with plenty of willpower!
LikeLiked by 1 person
So great and really pretty
LikeLiked by 2 people
Thanks Izzie! 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
This is delicious and absolutely healthy! Thanks for the recipe. I totally agree…the concept of salad is something I too came to appreciate only after moving out of India.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Very true Swati. Salads can make such healthy one-bowl meals! Thanks so much. Appreciate it :))
LikeLiked by 1 person
What a colorful salad! I’m making this the next time I have guests over. It looks like a crowd pleaser. I’m sure they will be impressed with all the delicious flavors.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Yess Ellie…it’s indeed a delicious and healthy salad with lovely ingredients in one- bowl. I am sure your guests will love it. Thank you!!
LikeLike
Hi Mona, an amazing combination of flavours!! sweet potatoes, black chickpeas, spinach and avocados a healrhy one pot meal!! Very nice post thank you.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thanks so much Sumith! :))
LikeLiked by 1 person
OMG, this is right up to my alley, as being vegetarian, thank you so much sharing. I haven’t seen black chick pea’s here in the US, so I just might substitude with yellow one’s. Do the black one’s have a different flavor?
LikeLiked by 2 people
Hi Cornelia, yes the black ones do have a slight different flavor but I am sure the yellow ones too will go great with this salad! However you might be able to find the black chickpeas at an Indian grocery store. I am sure you’ll love it. Thank you ! :))
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you dear, that’s good to know. I love to go to Indian grocery stores, they remind me of my recent trip to India.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well I am sure you enjoyed your trip to India! :))
LikeLike
It must be delicious
thank you for sharing
kisses
LikeLiked by 1 person
It was delicious indeed! Thanks you :))
LikeLiked by 1 person
oh welcome
kisses
LikeLiked by 1 person
Really Salads are the In-Thing Today. With all the Fat bulging out of everyone, there is no other option by eat Healthy Salads with tasty Toppings.
I only don’t know how to make the best use of Avocados. Is it only to be used as a salad or can you make it into a Indian Bhaji ?Sort of second main dish.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I totally agree! Salads are full of flavors and so healthy. As far as avocados go, I have not yet tried using them in Vegetable dishes, but yes I do sometimes make avocado parathas. I mix the avocado with wheatflour into a dough and make flatbreads out of it. Maybe I will put up a post soon on avocado parathas. :))
LikeLiked by 1 person
Super Delicious
I have nominated you for a ONE LOVELY BLOG AWARD . Checkout the details on my recent post : https://ruchisvegkitchen.wordpress.com/2016/09/28/dryfruit-shrikhand/. Thank you
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you Ruchi! I will check it out soon :))
LikeLiked by 1 person
Looks nice!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Thank you :))
LikeLike
Wao such a vibrant and beautiful looking dish… Great share dear 😁😊
LikeLike
What a wonderful salad, Mona!! I’m going to try this one as soon as I can find black chickpeas (haven’t heard of them before). The beetroot tikkis were fantastic by the way! 😃 At least in taste, I have to work on them to get the consistency better next time 😉. Love, Sarah xxxxx
LikeLike
Hi Mona
I have nominated you for the Sunshine Blogger Award !!
Here’s the link
http://tingleurtastebuds.com/2016/10/10/sunshine-blogger-award/
Do take a look at it.
Meena
LikeLike
Oh there are a lot of ingredients and beautiful recipe…
LikeLike
Wow that looks utterly delicious Mona…I love sweet potato!! Thanks for sharing:)
I don’t know how I missed this post…Sorry haven’t been so active lately! 🙂
LikeLike
This looks so yummm! Yet another one to tack onto my every growing To-Try list 🙂
LikeLike
Mona, what happend to you?? Where are you? Hope everthig is well. Happy and prosperous new year to you and your family.
LikeLike
Wow! That looks delicious! And it’s so colorful! I must try…
LikeLike
you’re making me hungry! Ha! I love sweet potatoes. I look forward to trying this at home.
LikeLiked by 1 person
This salad looks gorgeous! It is great combination of ingredients, I will definitely be trying this!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lisa where are you these days???
Meena
LikeLike
I love this recipe, its look like delicious. May you reads my article about foody Lima Langkah Cara Hadapi Makanan Pedas
Regards, me Fenni Bungsu
LikeLike
This is looking very healthy and tasty too. i will definitely going to try this very soon. I am looking forward to got more content like this.
LikeLike