Chickpea salad with lemon and fresh herbs

Ingredients :

Boiled chickpeas - 390 gms - ( soak 110 gms of chickpea overnight and then pressure cook it ),

Onion -1 ( medium size )finely chopped,
Tomatoes - 2 - chopped ,
Cucumber - 1/2 - chopped.

For dressing :
Green chilli - 2 - chopped ,
Dried red chilli - 1 - deseeded and chopped,
lemon - 1 ( juice ),
Olive oil - 2 tbsp,
White vinegar - 1 tbsp,
Basil leaves - 7 to 8 leaves,
Mint leaves - a handful ,
Salt and pepper.

Method :
Soak chickpea overnight and pressure cook with 1 cup of water ( the chickpea should be dipped in water ).Cooking time is 1 whistle in high heat and then lower the heat and let it simmer for 15 minutes .
Take out the chickpeas from the cooker and leave it to cool. Discard the water only when you are ready to assemble the salad. As the weather is hot the chickpea will dry out or you can keep it in the  fridge to cool.
Take a bowl and add the chopped onions,tomatoes and cucumber .
Take a small bowl and put juice of 1 lemon,1 tbsp of vinegar,2 tbsp of olive oil,chopped green chillies ,chopped red chilli ( optional ),chopped mint and basil leaves ,salt and pepper .

Leave some mint and basil for garnishing .
Crush and mix with a spoon.


Pour the dressing ( leave 1 tbsp of dressing for garnishing ) in to the chopped onion, tomato, cucumber bowl.
Mix and leave it for 10 minutes .
Discard the water of the boiled chickpeas and spoon it into the onion mixture .
Mix, taste and accordingly adjust .
Some like it lemony and few like hot so adjust to your choice.
Keep the bowl in the fridge and when you plan to serve, garnish with  fresh mint, basil leaves and sprinkle fresh pepper . Pour the leftover dressing over the salad.

It is nice summery salad and can be had as a snack too.