Name: Balela
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Cuisine: salad
Ingredients: 1 15-oz. can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed; 1 15-oz. can of black beans, drained and rinsed; 1 large shallot, diced; 2 garlic cloves, minced; 3-4 Tbsp. sun-dried tomatoes, chopped; 2-3 Tbsp. fresh mint, chopped; 2-3 Tbsp. fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped; 2 Tbsp. olive oil; 1 lemon, zest and juice; 1-2 Tbsp. honey (or maple syrup for a vegan option); Salt & pepper, to taste; Cayenne pepper, to taste

I honestly can’t remember when I first tried this delicious salad, but after tasting it I was determined to recreate the recipe! Balela is a simple Middle Eastern chickpea salad which combines chickpeas and black beans with shallots, garlic, and sun-dried tomatoes. Then it’s dressed with a sweet-spicy lemon dressing for a hearty and healthy salad or side dish.

Balela is simple to prepare and can be ready in 15 minutes. While the beans are draining, I prepare the rest of the ingredients – chop the shallots, sun-dried tomatoes, and herbs, mince the garlic, zest and juice the lemon. The salad is hearty but bright with the fresh herbs and lemon flavors.

We like a little heat so cayenne pepper is a must-have. You can certainly omit if you don’t like things too spicy – it’ll still have a delicious flavor. One of the best things about this is that it’s easily scalable, and great at room temperature so it’s perfect to bring to a picnic or potluck.

Balela

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

I love this Middle Eastern chickpea salad – it's super easy to prepare, and delicious as a side salad or as a topping for pita bread or chips!

Ingredients

1 15-oz. can of chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 15-oz. can of black beans, drained and rinsed
1 large shallot, diced
2 garlic cloves, minced
3-4 Tbsp. sun-dried tomatoes, chopped
2-3 Tbsp. fresh mint, chopped
2-3 Tbsp. fresh flat-leaf parsley, chopped
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 lemon, zest and juice
1-2 Tbsp. honey (or maple syrup for a vegan option)
Salt & pepper, to taste
Cayenne pepper, to taste

Instructions

Drain the chickpeas and black beans.
Meanwhile, chop the shallots and sun-dried tomatoes, mince the garlic. Add to a medium bowl.
Add the chopped herbs, olive oil, honey, lemon zest and juice, and seasonings. Stir to combine everything.
Taste and add any additional seasonings if needed.

Nutrition Information:

Yield: 6 Serving Size: 1
Amount Per Serving: Calories: 321Total Fat: 7gSaturated Fat: 1gTrans Fat: 0gUnsaturated Fat: 5gCholesterol: 0mgSodium: 385mgCarbohydrates: 53gFiber: 13gSugar: 17gProtein: 14g

Nutritional information is an estimate and may vary per preparation.