It won't be an exaggeration to say that protein is the building block of life. One of the three macro-nutrients essential for our body, protein helps promote muscle health, bone health and overall strength and stamina. Alongside, a good amount of protein in our diet helps us keep full for a longer period of time. Hence, health experts around the world often recommend inclusion of a generous amount of protein in our everyday meal for overall well-being, especially for the ones looking to shed some extra kilos. One such rich source of protein is the very popular chickpea (or as we call it chana in Hindi). A common food ingredient in almost every Indian kitchen, chickpea is loaded with several essential nutrients, with a plethora of health benefits.
As per USDA data, a 100-gram chickpea contains 19gram of protein, 17 gram of fibre and just 6 grams of fat. Alongside, it also contains no cholesterol and makes for an ideal food for a weight loss diet. Moreover, chickpea is known to promote heart-health and help manage diabetes.
High-Protein 4-Ingredient Chickpea Salad Recipe:
Here we bring you a chickpea salad recipe that can be a healthy and tasty addition to your diet regime. Besides chana, this recipe also includes the goodness of apple, tomato and carrot - each of which is known to aid weight loss.
All you have to do is add all these ingredients in a bowl and season with cumin powder, red chilli, black salt, lime juice, honey, coriander leaves and mint leaves.
Here's The Step-By-Step Recipe For Quick And Healthy 4-Ingredient Chickpea Salad:
Ingredients:
1 cup overnight soaked chickpeas
Half apple, finely chopped
1 carrot, grated
1-2 tomato, finely chopped
For seasoning:
1 teaspoon roasted cumin powder
1 toasted red chilli, coarsely crushed
Black salt, as per taste
Lime juice, as per taste
1-2 teaspoon honey
Half teaspoon coriander leaves
Half teaspoon mint leaves
Method:
Step 1. Take chickpeas, apple, carrot and tomato in a mixing bowl. Keep aside.
Step 2. Prepare the salad seasoning with the ingredients mentioned - pound the coriander leaves, mint leaves in a mortar pestle. Add the rest of the ingredients to it and mix.
Step 3. Drizzle the seasoning on the chickpea bowl and mix everything together. You may also add some toasted nuts or shredded paneer to garnish the salad bowl.
You may either have this salad as a complete meal or add it as a side dish with your lunch and dinner. Bon Appetit!