You guys. I think we made it. We survived another winter.
I’m starting to see real signs of spring and we actually put away my daughter’s snow boots and snow pants the other day. The weather is now in the mid to upper 50’s here and Friday will be 65 degrees! What?!!!
We made it.
Spring is here and I’ve got salad on the brain. I love salads that I can munch on straight out of the refrigerator. Everything is raw and crunchy and I love it. And with this salad, you can even eat it with chips.
Or at least that’s what I did.
Have you guys baked your own tortilla chips before? It’s so freaking easy. And my kids like these better than store bought so I’ve been going through tortillas like crazy. Next up: to try making whole wheat tortilla chips.
So, I used the same creamy lemon salad dressing for this one. Because I am obsessed. And again, I love the texture in this salad. I love raw veggies, cauliflower included, so threw some in here. It’s nutritious and adds some crunch. I love the cauliflower with the tomatoes and avocado and chickpeas. . all drenched in the creamy lemon dressing.
It’s so good, y’all.
I might make some more today. And eat it outside. 😛
Enjoy!
Cauliflower and Chickpea Salad
Ingredients
For the tortilla chips:
- 8 small flour tortillas cut into triangles
- kosher salt
For the dressing:
- 1/3 cup non-fat plain yogurt
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 teaspoon lemon zest
- kosher salt and pepper
For the salad:
- 1 15 oz. can chickpeas rinsed, drained and patted dry
- 1 small head cauliflower chopped small or diced
- 3 cups fresh arugula
- 1/4 cup fresh Italian parsley chopped
- 2 large tomatoes chopped
- 1/2 red onion diced
- 2 avocados chopped
Instructions
For the tortilla chips:
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. Arrange the tortilla triangles on a parchment lined baking sheet in a single layer. Bake for about 6 minutes, then flip them over, sprinkle with some salt and bake for another 6 to 9 minutes, or until they have reached the desired brownness. Remove from the oven and sprinkle more salt if desired.
For the dressing:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the yogurt, lemon juice, olive oil and lemon zest. Season with salt and pepper, taste and adjust any ingredients as needed.
For the salad:
- Using a large salad or mixing bowl, gently toss together the chickpeas, cauliflower, arugula, parsley, tomatoes, red onions and avocados. Drizzle on the dressing (don't pour in the entire thing, start with a small amount and see how much you need) and toss together. Serve with the tortilla chips.
Homemade tortilla chips recipe was from Simply Recipes.
sue|theviewfromgreatisland says
March 11, 2015 at 8:24 amI am soooo in the salad mood this week, I think Spring really is coming!
Ashley | Spoonful of Flavor says
March 11, 2015 at 8:41 amYay for making it through winter! Warmer weather will be here soon. I am very much looking forward to spring veggies from my garden so that I can make this delicious salad!
Betty Albert says
March 11, 2015 at 8:51 amThis is awesome! I really dislike mayo, and this dressing is just the ticket!! I can’t wait to try this. This dressing could be my new go-to dressing! THANKS!
hipfoodiemom says
March 11, 2015 at 8:53 amThank you, Betty!! I hope you try it!!
Jocelyn (Grandbaby cakes) says
March 11, 2015 at 9:00 amWe are experiencing the same weather and part of me is wondering if it is a fluke! lol No way this can last right? Also this salad is wonderful. I adore chickpeas but have never tried them in a salad. I must do this!
annie@ciaochowbambina says
March 11, 2015 at 9:10 amYes! As we’re about to spend more time outdoors, recipes like this will be in high demand! Thanks for sharing, Alice…I’ve been craving chickpeas!
Allie | Baking a Moment says
March 11, 2015 at 9:42 amThis looks like the perfect Spring salad! I can’t believe Spring is finally here. After that snow we had last week I was beginning to think it would NEVER happen but we are looking at 60-degree high today! Woohoo! I think I’ll be putting away snow pants too!
laurasmess says
March 11, 2015 at 9:57 amI actually bought a big cauliflower yesterday and I was wondering what to make with it! This is such a wonderful and timely post Alice!! Absolutely beautiful photos as always – they definitely reflect a bright summer feel and I am SO glad that the weather is getting better for you now!! On the flip side, we are now officially in autumn and I am looking forward to the weather cooling down 😉 Yum xxx
Mir says
March 11, 2015 at 10:11 amOkay, soul sister, we are in the same place! Because we’re looking at 50s and 60s and you can betcha that my diet is about to turn into salads and frozen yogurt! Yeah!
Gonna start with this one. Looks amazing!
Jen @ Baked by an Introvert says
March 11, 2015 at 10:14 amI’m so happy that spring has finally arrived! This salad is the perfect way to welcome it in. All of those fresh, raw veggies are calling my name.
Zainab says
March 11, 2015 at 10:56 amWe MADE it indeed! We are still in the 30s and 40s but considering where we came from I am taking it! I do need more salad recipes 😉 This looks amazing!
Holly | Beyond Kimchee says
March 11, 2015 at 11:09 amYum! This will be a perfect salad to eat out enjoying the beautiful warm sunny day.
Danae @ Recipe Runner says
March 11, 2015 at 11:12 amIt’s starting to feel like spring here in Colorado too! It’s supposed to be 68 degrees today! I feel like I shouldn’t get overly excited though because we will surely get at least 1-2 more snows before the end of May. I totally want to embrace the warmth with this amazing salad!
Natalie @ Tastes Lovely says
March 11, 2015 at 11:26 amSpring is almost here! Our fruit trees are starting to get little blossoms and it is so pretty. I love this cauliflower chickpea salad. This is definitely something I would make a big batch of, then eat for lunch for the week.
Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch says
March 11, 2015 at 11:28 amI want this for lunch today, Alice! Something about the crunchiness of that cauliflower and those amazing chickpeas that is causing such a craving! Delicious and so pretty too!
mira says
March 11, 2015 at 12:47 pmLove chickpeas and cauliflower! Don’r remember having them together but will definitely try this beautiful salad! So easy and nutritious! Pinned 🙂
Kelly says
March 11, 2015 at 1:52 pmYay, I’m so excited for spring! It’s finally warmer here too – I was starting to think old man winter would never leave! This cauliflower and chickpea salad look amazing! So refreshing and perfect for spring and I love the homemade nacho chips!
Manali@CookWithManali says
March 11, 2015 at 3:41 pmAren’t tortilla chips so easy to make?!! I love this Alice, the salad has all my fav things! 🙂 Pinned.
Marissa | Pinch and Swirl says
March 11, 2015 at 4:43 pmYes! This is my kind of salad, Alice – full of veggies and that dressing looks amazing.+ So close to spring.yay!!
Erin@WellPlated says
March 11, 2015 at 5:27 pmGoodbye boots (and hello lunch!)
Amanda @ Cookie Named Desire says
March 11, 2015 at 7:09 pmYeeeeeesssssss. I am so in the mood for a salad like this. And I know I am going to fall in love with that dressing. It is calling my name. I can’t believe how nice it is outside. I went out in only a cardigan all day today and even got hot at a few points during the day. This is the perfect way to celebrate this weather.
Kathleen | HapaNom says
March 11, 2015 at 7:55 pmI LOVE this salad! As someone who eats one (big or small) everyday, I always appreciate a fabulous new salad recipe to change things up – and this recipe certainly does that!
Ashley | The Recipe Rebel says
March 11, 2015 at 8:57 pmI am not brave enough to put away the snow pants just yet! But I can definitely go for some light, springy food!
Shelby @ Go Eat and Repeat says
March 11, 2015 at 9:01 pmI’m glad it is finally warming up for you! It is for me too. I had my window wide open! Too bad I can’t yet take a walk as our road is made of dirt and after seven inches of snow is a true mud pit…
Sonali- The Foodie Physician says
March 11, 2015 at 9:37 pmSuch a gorgeous spring salad! Congrats on surviving the winter!
Denise | Sweet Peas & Saffron says
March 11, 2015 at 9:53 pmI don’t know what I like more: the fact that winter is over, this delicious looking salad, or the fact that you served it with pita chips! Love this one, Alice!
Dannii @ Hungry Healthy Happy says
March 12, 2015 at 6:09 amI love cauliflower, but I haven’t had it on a salad before. I can’t wait until it is warmer for salad weather.
Liz @ Floating Kitchen says
March 12, 2015 at 7:18 amOh man. It was 50 degrees here yesterday and it felt like summer! I hope this is the start of a new trend around here because I’m READY! I want ice cream and grilling and salads all day long! Homemade chips = all the yeses!
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
March 12, 2015 at 7:32 amThis salad looks perfect, Alice! I love the addition of cauliflower and chickpeas. It’s channeling some warmer weather! 🙂
David @ Spiced says
March 12, 2015 at 7:36 amYes! Spring is (almost) here, and I am totally feeling the whole ‘eat a salad outside’ thing. I think it’s still a wee bit chilly here for that, but it’s coming! I’m digging the sound of this whole creamy lemon dressing…sign me up!
Sarah@ Whole and Heavenly Oven says
March 12, 2015 at 8:04 amI was seriously SOO excited yesterday when I went outside to check the mail and I was like, HEY! It’s actually warm out here! Like you said: We made it. Woot!
Now this salad? Um I’m obsessing over all the healthy veggie goodness you packed in here! Cauliflower is pretty much my favorite veggie on the planet so this salad is right up my alley!
Maria|Pink Patisserie says
March 12, 2015 at 6:06 pmBring on all the salads! And the sun! And that lemon dressing! Looks amazing Alice!! I’m so glad you are all getting some good springtime weather! It does a body good doesn’t it?!
sylvie says
April 6, 2015 at 12:36 amWe are knowing our first warm days here in Toulon (south of France) and this salad is ideal for our warm days!