So, I owe a lot of my interest in health and nutrition to my mom. Growing up, she always had a book in her hand, and still does to this day… always sending me emails or text messages about the health benefits of certain foods or why I need to stock up on certain vitamins and minerals. And I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Even when I was younger, and all the other kids got peanut butter & jelly sandwiches for lunch with Doritos chips and Little Debbie desserts, I would open my lunchbox and find chicken salad, packed with spinach, onions, sprouts and then have carrot and celery sticks on the side (and of course, a Scripture verse and sweet note from my mom written on my napkin). Even coming home from school, when the average kid probably got a little snack of milk and cookies… my sister and I were greeted with tomatoes, broccoli and carrots. My mom would set the veggies on a tray on the ground so we could pretend that we were Peter Rabbit, stealing the veggies from the Farmer’s garden :)
When I originally started putting this recipe together, I was hoping it would taste like chicken salad and was honestly surprised that it really does! This is because the chickpeas have an amazing chicken-like texture when we use a potato masher or fork to mash them a bit. I promise you this… try out this recipe, and you will definitely be saying, “I can’t believe it’s not chicken!”
- 1 15-oz can chickpeas, drained & rinsed
- ¼ cup dill pickles, finely chopped
- ½ cup purple onion, finely chopped
- ¼ cup dried cranberries
- ¼ cup walnuts, chopped
- 2 ribs celery, diced
- 2 Tbs vegan mayo
- 2 tsp whole grain mustard
- 2 tsp dried dill weed
- ½ tsp ground black pepper
- ¼ tsp pink himilayan sea saly
- ¼ tsp turmeric
- First, using a potato masher or fork, mash the chickpeas into a shredded texture, leaving a few chickpeas whole.
- Combine all remaining ingredients with the chickpeas.
- For a sandwich, top off with some alfalfa sprouts, shaved carrots and spinach leaves!
A sprinkle or two of Kelp powder will give it that “toona” flavor, if that is what you are looking for. Otherwise, I call it “chick’n” salad.
Thanks, Ellen! Great idea for those wanting that “fishy” taste.
OMG! I tried this recipe and it was/is DELICOUS!! Thank you, thank you!! I’m always on the hunt for new ways to eat my veggies! xo