Best 2 Cauliflower Chickpea And Pesto Salad Recipes

Indulge in a culinary journey with our delightful Cauliflower, Chickpea, and Pesto Salad! This vibrant and flavorful dish combines the goodness of roasted cauliflower, protein-packed chickpeas, tangy sun-dried tomatoes, and a burst of fresh herbs. Drizzled with a homemade basil pesto, this salad offers a perfect balance of textures and flavors. As a bonus, we've included two additional recipes: a zesty lemon tahini dressing and a classic vinaigrette, so you can customize your salad dressing to your personal taste. Get ready to elevate your lunch or dinner with this healthy and satisfying dish!

Here are our top 2 tried and tested recipes!

HERBY CAULIFLOWER SALAD WITH CHICKPEAS

Herby Cauliflower Salad with Chickpeas image

Thanks to a light lemony dressing and lots of fresh herbs, this simple raw cauliflower salad recipe tastes surprisingly delicious and lasts in the fridge for days. The pickled onions are an optional ingredient, but they do take the salad to the next level. Here's our recipe for pickled onions, so you can see how simple they are to make. We break the cauliflower down into tiny florets, but another option is to use a food processor and make a chunky cauliflower rice. Take a look at our cauliflower rice recipe to see how we do it.

Provided by Adam and Joanne Gallagher

Categories Side Dish

Time 45m

Yield Makes about 10 cups

Number Of Ingredients 10

Ingredients

1 medium head cauliflower, about 1 3/4 to 2 pounds (6 to 7 cups small florets)
1/2 teaspoon fine sea salt, plus more to taste
1/2 teaspoon fresh ground black pepper
1 teaspoon finely grated lemon zest (from 1 lemon)
1/4 cup fresh squeezed lemon juice, plus more to taste
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes, optional for some heat
1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed (or use 1 1/2 cups cooked chickpeas)
1/2 cup fine fresh herbs like parlsey, dill, or mint, chopped
1/2 cup pickled red onions, chopped, optional, see our pickled onions recipe

Steps:

Cut away leaves and the core from the cauliflower. Then cut or pull the cauliflower apart into little florets and add to a large bowl. Chop longer stems into small pieces, and then add to the bowl with florets.
Season with 1/2 teaspoon of fine sea salt and 1/2 teaspoon ground black pepper, and then toss the cauliflower around the bowl until all the florets have had a chance to be seasoned.
To make the dressing, whisk the lemon zest, lemon juice, olive oil, red pepper flakes, and a pinch of salt together until creamy and emulsified.
Add the chickpeas, herbs, pickled onions, and the dressing to the cauliflower. Toss until everything is evenly coated. Taste, and then season with additional salt, pepper or lemon juice.
The cauliflower salad does taste best when given some time to marinate. When possible, let the salad marinate, stirring from time to time, for at least 30 minutes before serving. The salad will keep, covered in the refrigerator, up to one week.

Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 cup, Calories 140, Fat 7.2g, SaturatedFat 1g, Cholesterol 0mg, Sodium 237.7mg, Carbohydrate 15.8g, Fiber 4.9g, Sugar 2.7g, Protein 5.3g

PEA AND CAULIFLOWER SALAD

Pea and Cauliflower Salad image

This crunchy salad is easy to make.

Provided by Jessica

Categories Salad Vegetable Salad Recipes Green Pea Salad Recipes

Time 20m

Yield 10

Number Of Ingredients 8

Ingredients

3 cups frozen peas, thawed
1 head cauliflower, chopped into bite size pieces
½ cup pitted green olives, chopped
1 cup thinly sliced celery
¼ cup ranch dressing
1 cup nonfat plain yogurt
½ teaspoon garlic powder
1 cup cashew nuts

Steps:

Mix the peas, cauliflower, olives, and celery together in a large bowl.
Whisk the ranch dressing, yogurt, and garlic powder together in a small bowl. Pour over pea mixture, and stir until ingredients are evenly coated. Sprinkle cashews on top just before serving.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 179.7 calories, Carbohydrate 16.5 g, Cholesterol 2.1 mg, Fat 10.8 g, Fiber 4 g, Protein 6.9 g, SaturatedFat 1.9 g, Sodium 354.8 mg, Sugar 6.3 g

Tips:

Use fresh ingredients: Fresh vegetables, herbs, and nuts will give your salad the best flavor and texture.
Don't overcook the cauliflower: Cauliflower should be cooked until it is tender but still has a slight crunch.
Use a good quality pesto: A good quality pesto will make a big difference in the flavor of your salad.
Don't be afraid to experiment: Add other vegetables, nuts, or seeds to your salad to create a unique flavor combination.

Conclusion:

This cauliflower, chickpea, and pesto salad is a delicious and healthy dish that is perfect for a summer lunch or dinner. It is packed with flavor and nutrients, and it is sure to please everyone at your table. So next time you are looking for a healthy and delicious salad recipe, give this one a try.