Description
Mediterranean Israeli salad celebrates fresh cucumber, tomato, and herbs with simple, zesty ingredients. Crisp vegetables and tangy lemon dressing make one refreshing side dish you’ll crave alongside grilled meats or as a light lunch companion.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 (794 g / 1 lb 13 oz) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 1 cup (240 ml) tahini
- 3 tbsps (45 ml) chopped garlic (9 cloves)
- 1 cup (240 ml) freshly squeezed lemon juice (4 to 6 lemons)
- 1½ tsps ground cumin
- ½ tsp sriracha
- kosher salt
- freshly ground black pepper
- good olive oil
- 1 large hothouse cucumber, unpeeled, halved, seeded, and ½-inch diced
- 2 cups heirloom cherry tomatoes, halved or quartered
- 1 cup (½-inch-diced) Holland red bell pepper (1 large)
- ¾ cup (¼-inch-diced) red onion
- ½ cup julienned fresh mint leaves
- toasted pita bread
Instructions
- Preparation: Combine chickpeas, tahini, lemon juice, garlic, cumin, Sriracha sauce, olive oil, salt, and black pepper in a food processor, blending until achieving a smooth, velvety consistency. Adjust texture by incorporating warm water if needed.
- Vegetable Composition: In a large mixing bowl, combine diced cucumber, chopped tomatoes, sliced bell pepper, and finely chopped red onion. Dress the vegetables with olive oil, additional lemon juice, salt, and black pepper, ensuring thorough and even seasoning.
- Plating Technique: Select a spacious serving platter and spread the prepared hummus, creating a subtle raised border. Carefully transfer the seasoned vegetable mixture onto the hummus using a slotted spoon, allowing the hummus edges to remain visible.
- Finishing Touches: Enhance the dish by garnishing with freshly chopped mint leaves, sprinkling additional salt, and drizzling extra olive oil over the top. Serve at room temperature accompanied by warm pita bread for a complete culinary experience.
Notes
- Choose Fresh Ingredients: Select ripe, firm tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and vibrant bell peppers for maximum flavor and texture in the salad.
- Precision in Cutting: Dice vegetables uniformly to ensure consistent flavor distribution and an aesthetically pleasing presentation.
- Balancing Seasoning: Adjust salt and lemon juice gradually, tasting as you go to achieve the perfect tangy and savory profile.
- Serving Temperature: Allow the dish to rest at room temperature for 10-15 minutes before serving to enhance the natural flavors of the ingredients.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Israeli
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 6
- Calories: 300
- Sugar: 5 g
- Sodium: 450 mg
- Fat: 15 g
- Saturated Fat: 2 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 10 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 35 g
- Fiber: 8 g
- Protein: 10 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg