Gurkensalat mit Kichererbsen und Hirtenkäse: Fresh Mediterranean Summer Salat
Ready in just 16 minutes and serving 2 people generously, this vegetarian salad is perfect as a light lunch, side dish, or healthy dinner option that won’t leave you feeling heavy or sluggish.
- Prep Time: 16 minutes
- Total Time: 16 minutes
- Yield: 2 1x
- Cuisine: Vegetarian Mediterranean
Ingredients
For the Zesty Lime Dressing:
- 2 tablespoons rapeseed oil (neutral flavor, heart-healthy)
- 2 teaspoons agave syrup (natural sweetener that balances the acidity)
- 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice (bright, citrusy tang)
- ½ teaspoon salt and pepper to taste
For the Salad Base:
- 1 cucumber (or 2 mini cucumbers for extra crunch)
- 265g canned chickpeas, drained (convenient and protein-rich)
- 1 onion, finely chopped (adds sharpness and depth)
- 150g shepherd’s cheese, crumbled (creamy, tangy richness)
- 2 stems fresh parsley (bright, herbaceous finish)
Instructions
Step 1: Create the Dressing (3 minutes) Whisk together rapeseed oil, agave syrup, lime juice, salt, and pepper until well combined. The agave helps emulsify the dressing naturally. Refrigerate while preparing other ingredients.
Step 2: Prep the Vegetables (8 minutes) Wash and slice or dice the cucumber – the choice between slices or cubes affects the final texture, with cubes providing better dressing distribution. Drain chickpeas thoroughly in a fine-mesh sieve. Peel and finely chop the onion. Wash, dry, and finely chop the fresh parsley.
Step 3: Combine and Chill (5 minutes) Mix cucumber, chickpeas, onion, and parsley with the prepared dressing. Refrigerate until ready to serve – this allows flavors to meld beautifully.
Step 4: Final Assembly Just before serving, crumble or cube the shepherd’s cheese over the salad. This prevents the cheese from becoming too soft and maintains its creamy texture contrast.
Notes
Cucumber Preparation: If using regular cucumbers, consider peeling them partially (leaving strips of skin) for better texture and appearance.
Chickpea Quality: Rinse canned chickpeas thoroughly to remove excess sodium and improve taste. For extra flavor, you can quickly sauté them with a bit of garlic before cooling and adding to the salad.
Cheese Handling: Crumble the cheese by hand for irregular, rustic pieces that distribute more naturally throughout the salad.
Make-Ahead Friendly: This salad actually improves after sitting for 30 minutes as the flavors meld, but add cheese just before serving.