Crunchy Coconut Chickpea Salad

This crunchy coconut chickpea salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish that's perfect for a light lunch or dinner. The chickpeas provide a hearty base, while the shredded coconut adds a touch of sweetness and crunch. The red bell pepper, cilantro, and green onions add color and freshness, and the lime-maple dressing ties everything together with a tangy and slightly sweet flavor.

I first came up with this recipe when I was looking for a way to use up some leftover chickpeas. I had some shredded coconut on hand, and I thought it would be a good way to add some flavor and texture to the salad. I also added some red bell pepper, cilantro, and green onions for color and freshness. The lime-maple dressing was the perfect finishing touch, adding a tangy and slightly sweet flavor that complemented the other ingredients perfectly.

Prep time: 15 | Cook time: 0 | Serves: 4

Ingredients

• 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 cup shredded coconut
• 1 red bell pepper, diced
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• 1/4 cup sliced green onions
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 2 tablespoons maple syrup
• 1 tablespoon soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, combine chickpeas, shredded coconut, red bell pepper, cilantro, and green onions.
2. In a small bowl, whisk together lime juice, maple syrup, soy sauce, sesame oil, salt, and pepper.
3. Pour the dressing over the chickpea mixture and toss to combine.
4. Serve chilled and enjoy!

Why It Works

• The chickpeas provide a hearty base for the salad, while the shredded coconut adds a touch of sweetness and crunch.
• The red bell pepper, cilantro, and green onions add color and freshness to the salad.
• The lime-maple dressing ties everything together with a tangy and slightly sweet flavor.