Cottage Cheese Salad with Crispy Chickpeas, Tomatoes, and Fresh Herbs Recipe
This Cottage Cheese Salad with crispy roasted chickpeas, fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, herbs, and feta cheese offers a delicious balance of creamy, crunchy, fresh, and savory flavors. High in protein and packed with nutrients, it’s perfect for a light meal or a satisfying snack.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Category: Salad
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: American
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Chickpeas and Seasoning
- 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 Vegetables and Dressing
- 1 cup diced cucumbers
- 1 cup diced tomatoes
- 1/4 cup diced red onion
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon chopped dill
- 1 tablespoon chopped parsley
- Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
Cheese
- 2 cups cottage cheese
- 2 tablespoons feta cheese
Optional
- Extra herbs for garnish
- Pita chips or pita bread, for serving
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 400°F (204°C) to prepare for roasting the chickpeas.
- Prepare Chickpeas: Spread the rinsed and drained chickpeas on a baking sheet. Drizzle with olive oil, then sprinkle with smoked paprika, kosher salt, cumin, and black pepper. Toss well to coat all chickpeas evenly.
- Roast Chickpeas: Roast the seasoned chickpeas in the oven for 25 minutes or until they are crispy and golden. Remove and let cool slightly.
- Make Salad Mixture: While the chickpeas roast, combine diced cucumbers, diced tomatoes, diced red onion, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, chopped dill, chopped parsley, kosher salt, and black pepper in a medium bowl. Mix well to blend flavors.
- Assemble the Salad: Spread the cottage cheese evenly on a plate or platter as the base. Spoon the cucumber and tomato mixture over the cottage cheese, then top with the crispy roasted chickpeas.
- Finish and Serve: Sprinkle the salad with feta cheese and extra fresh herbs for garnish. Serve with pita chips or pita bread if desired, or enjoy the salad on its own.
Notes
- Storing Tips: The salad is best enjoyed the day it is made for peak freshness.
- You can prepare crispy chickpeas in advance, storing them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 5 days.
- Store the cucumber and tomato mixture separately in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Keep cottage cheese refrigerated until ready to assemble the salad to maintain texture and freshness.
