Fresh Cottage Cheese & Chickpeas Salad for Sunny Days (Print Version)

Whip up this easy Cottage Cheese & Chickpeas Salad! A protein-packed, fresh, and satisfying meal. Perfect for quick lunches or light dinners. So simple!

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 15 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 0 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Everyday Fresh
Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

# Ingredients:

→ Salad Base

01 - 1 (16-ounce) container full-fat cottage cheese
02 - 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained

→ Fresh Veggies & Herbs

03 - 1 English cucumber, finely diced
04 - 1/2 small red onion, finely diced (soak in cold water if too strong)
05 - 1 red bell pepper, finely diced
06 - 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
07 - 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped

→ Zesty Dressing

08 - 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
09 - 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
10 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
11 - 1 small clove garlic, minced
12 - 1/2 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
13 - 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper (or to taste)

→ Optional Extras

14 - 1/2 cup halved cherry tomatoes
15 - 1/2 ripe avocado, diced (add just before serving)
16 - Everything bagel seasoning, for garnish

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, get those chickpeas rinsed and drained really well. I usually dump them in a colander and let the cold water run over them for a minute or two, shaking them around. While they drain, grab your cutting board. Finely dice your cucumber, red onion, and bell pepper. I like to aim for roughly the same size pieces so every bite of the salad is balanced. And don't forget to chop those fresh herbs! The smell of fresh dill and parsley together? Divine.
02 - In a small bowl, whisk together your extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, and minced garlic. Season with a good pinch of salt and a few grinds of black pepper. Give it a good whisk until it looks slightly emulsified and everything is combined. This is where the magic happens, giving this dish its bright flavor. I always taste it at this stage and adjust the lemon or salt if needed. You want it punchy!
03 - Now for the fun part! Grab a nice big mixing bowl. Gently spoon in your cottage cheese, then add the rinsed chickpeas and all those beautiful chopped veggies—cucumber, red onion, and bell pepper. Toss in your fresh parsley and dill. This is where the colors really start to pop, making your fresh creation look as good as it tastes. Make sure your bowl is big enough, or you’ll end up with veggies all over your counter, like I often do!
04 - Pour that zesty dressing you just made over the cottage cheese and veggie mixture. Now, with a spatula or large spoon, gently fold everything together. You don't want to mash the cottage cheese too much, just mix until all the ingredients are evenly coated in that lovely dressing. It's satisfying to watch it all come together, honestly. This step is crucial for ensuring every mouthful of this salad has all those amazing flavors.
05 - This is crucial, folks! Grab a spoon and take a small taste. Does it need more salt? A little more pepper? Maybe a squeeze more lemon for extra brightness? Don't be shy here. Adjust the seasonings to your preference. This is *your* salad, after all! I often find I add a little extra salt at this stage, it just brings out all the flavors.
06 - Once you're happy with the seasoning, your refreshing salad is ready to be served! You can enjoy it immediately, or let it chill in the fridge for about 15-20 minutes to let the flavors meld a bit more. It looks so vibrant and inviting in a pretty bowl. I love seeing all those fresh colors come together, it’s just so appealing.

# Notes:

01 - Don't overmix the salad once the cottage cheese is in; you want those distinct curds, not a mushy paste!
02 - Always rinse your canned chickpeas thoroughly, or you'll get a slightly metallic taste. I learned that the hard way.
03 - Fresh herbs are truly vital here. Don't swap for dried if you can help it; the

# Tools You'll Need:

01 - Cutting board
02 - sharp knife
03 - mixing bowls
04 - whisk
05 - spatula
06 - colander

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