Guacamole Salad with Roasted Chickpeas

Unblended guacamole is basically a salad, and definitely becomes one if you add some lettuce and a light lime vinaigrette. Instead of fried tortilla chips I added in some sautéed chickpeas for extra protein and fiber. Avocado is the most important ingredient in guacamole, it is classified as a fruit and has rich, buttery flesh that is full of healthy (mostly monounsaturated) fats, fiber, potassium, antioxidants and folate. Tomato and red onion complete the guacamole flavors, along with the lime and cilantro, some staples for fresh Mexican inspired cuisine. Serve it as is or alongside some grilled fish or chicken or a brown rice dish (to make a complete vegetarian protein).

Guacamole Salad with Roasted Chickpeas
 
Prep time
Cook time
Total time
 
Serves: 4
INGREDIENTS:
  • Chickpeas
  • 1 can chickpeas, rinsed thoroughly and dried
  • 1 tablespoon cold-pressed olive oil
  • ¼ teaspoon cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon garlic powder
  • ¼ teaspoon sea salt
  • Salad
  • 4 cups romaine, shredded (1 large head or 2 small)
  • 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 2 avocados, diced
  • 1 tablespoon red onion, sliced thinly (around ⅛ of an onion)
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (from 1 lime)
  • 1 tablespoon cold-pressed olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon maple syrup
  • Sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper to taste
  • Optional: a few pinches of fresh cilantro
DIRECTIONS:
  1. Chickpeas
  2. Heat up the oil in a small skillet over medium high heat. Add in the chickpeas and spices and leave to cook for 10 minutes, stirring occasionally so they don't burn.
  3. Salad
  4. In a large bowl combine the lettuce, tomatoes, red onion, lime juice, oil and maple syrup and toss until evenly mixed. Once the chickpeas are done add them into the salad along with the avocado and a dash each of salt and pepper, toss gently and add more salt and/or pepper or hot sauce if needed. The lime juice will keep the avocado from browning too quickly but they are fragile so don't add them in until the end so that they maintain their shape. Serve with fresh cilantro on top.

The easiest way to dice avocado is to cut the fruit in half, remove the pit, make slices in each side like this, then make perpendicular slices and then use a large spoon to carefully scoop the flesh out

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