has anyone made the Chickepea-vegetable salad from May '01?

[aka]

Actually, I know at least one of you has because I did a search, but only one review...has anyone else made this? I'm thinking of making it with some Jerk Chicken next week. If so, does it really need 2 cans of chickpeas? I like chickpeas, but from the photo, it looks like a lot of them and I want more veggies. I'd probably substitute fresh minced garlic for the bottled and use a little less curry powder (I'm not a big curry fan, but the other eaters are and I can handle it in small doses). Any reviews/opinions would be appreciated.

Lilia (who may be going over-board on the planning, but it'll be the first time my in-laws have visited ever....we get along, we're just living in opposite ends of the country)

[foodiedelite]

Aka,

Yes, I made this last month. It's very simple to make and quite tasty.

I've purchased ingredients to make it again this week. One word of caution, some of the reviews expressed concern over the recipe being too salty. Mine didn't seem salty, but it may be the brand of curry powder. I used a "Spice Islands" brand I had on hand.
The raisins added a nice sweet contrast. If omitting raisins, as some individuals did, you may consider adding honey.

Two cans of chickpeas were just right. I only had about 1/2 cup left over for lunch the following day (served 2 large portions). Which by the way, it's even better Day 2.

[gertdog]

There were a couple of reviews/comments in this thread (I started the thread but it may not have come up in your search because I think I got the recipe name wrong in my subject heading). http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/smile.gif
http://www.cookinglight.com/bbs/Forum1/HTML/006819.html

[aka]

gertdog...thanks for the link it looks like I'll definately be making this.

A question regarding making it a day ahead: Sounds like it tastes better the next day. Do you mean the entire salad ingredients mixed with the dressing or just the ingredients up to the lettuce (In the recipe the lettuce doesn't seem to be "mixed in" with the other vegetables) If it's just the vegetables (w/o lettuce) do you put all the dressing in, or just the 1/2 cup called for in the recipe. I guess since the dressing is made with yogurt it doesn't get "runny" (the way it might with mayo) when it is mixed with vegetables and stored overnight?

Thanks again,
Lilia

[gertdog]

I actually made just the dressing a day ahead and stored it by itself, rather than mixing it with the salad ingredients.

But I don't see why you couldn't mix it (the 1/2 cup of dressing) with the salad ingredients, except the lettuce, a day ahead. Not sure if anyone else has tried that... some yogurts might get a little runny (the brand I use does tend to separate), but not too bad if you make it the night before you eat it. I can't remember if my leftovers were had runny dressing or not!

[This message has been edited by gertdog (edited 05-29-2001).]

[SQ]

This was a big hit for the whole family. I'm definitely planning to make it again. DH and I liked all the dressing mixed w/the chickpeas, but the children didn't want that extra dollop.

[karen w]

We also loved this. I did not find it too salty. I used a combo of Penzey's sweet and hot curry powders, and I also used both cans of chickpeas. If you mix it all together ahead and your tomatoes are juicy, it could dilute the dressing a little. Just mix in some of the reserved dressing before you serve it, and this freshens it up nicely.

[foodiedelite]

Lilia,

When making for the next day, I didn't add the lettuce until serving.

The dressing had been added the previous night, and didn't seem runny the following afternoon.

Enjoy!

[LGBurns]

I had it for lunch the next day, without the lettuce but with the 1/2 cup dressing mixed in, and it was not runny (As I said on the previous post, I did not make it with the raisins). Also, I was thinking it might have been too salty for me, because I might have used Kosher salt without changing the amount. Anyway, I again suggest you add a small amount of salt and then add more to taste at the end.

[Terrytx]

I made this by the recipe and we thought it was great. Kept dressing, salad and lettuce separate and after having it with dinner, I ate it for lunch a couple of days.