I absolutely love garbanzo beans or chickpeas, and this salad is one of our go-to as it is savory and makes for the perfect lunch or dinner.

Any opportunity to have them incorporated into my meal is always a plus for me. However, all this started because, at our local grocery store, it was the first time I noticed they carried cresson salad or watercress for my Anglo-Saxon friends.

savory cresson, garbanzo beans, dates salad

I enjoyed it often growing up in France and was super excited to bring it home and prepare a dish with it. But I did not want to prepare your basic salad either.

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I have also been experimenting with new spices. Therefore, I wanted to play outside my box, and this recipe is the result.

Do not let the recipe’s ease fool you. The rich flavor of the garbanzo beans, which have retained the flavors of the onion, garlic, and thyme, blended with scallions, sumac, sweet chopped dates, and lemon, is out of this world.

I found myself having to make a double batch as I never have leftovers.

It is also the perfect party dish, as it can be prepared halfway through the day before and assembled with the cresson at the last minute.

In this Article

What is Cresson? and its benefits.

Cresson or watercress is a green leafy vegetable that is very rich in vitamins A, B, C, E, and K and is considered one of the healthiest vegetables with more than 50 vital minerals and vitamins.

Same family as kale, and broccoli. Nutritious yet extremely low in calories.

An aquatic green that grows in cool, shallow streams. Considered one of the oldest salad greens. It is known that ancient Romans dressed raw watercress with pepper, cumin, and fish sauce.

cresson, garbanzo beans, dates salad on a whilte serving palte

Garbanzo Beans and dates

Garbanzo beans and dates are also highly nutritional. With these, you have a healthy packed lunch or dinner in your hands.

A fully vegan, gluten-free, packed salad will leave you satisfied and light.

I am adding sumac to my repertoire of spices and cooking.

I love the flavor and how well it marries with lemon juice. They complement each other well.

It is quite a diversified spice that blends well with other herbs.

They are also the main ingredient of hummus.

Why am I boiling the Garbanzo beans?

A while back I prepared a chickpeas recipe, Chickpeas, Cauliflower, Curry vinaigrette that required some boiling.

I really enjoyed how much softer the bite of the garbanzo beans was, so I wanted to use that method here while adding extra flavors.

The dressing penetrated deeper into the garbanzo beans, giving this salad a richer, savory flavor to it.

If you choose to use dry garbanzo beans, please soak them overnight in a large bowl of cold water and change the water a couple of times during that period.

Once they are rehydrated and ready to be enjoyed, use the same boiling process. This will give each bean an extra layer of flavor.

served cresson, garbanzo beans, dates salad in a white plate

What is Sumac

Sumac is a Mediterranean spice with a pungent, lemony flavor. It can be substituted with lemon zest, lemon juice, or lemon pepper seasoning.

Ingredients needed to make this delicious recipe of cresson, garbanzo beans

Garbanzo beans are the star of this dish. Rinse well and follow the instructions below. Of course, you can skip the par-boiling, but trust me, the flavor is so much more intensified once pre-cooked.

Garlic cloves – add that beautiful zing that we all love.

Thyme springs – are my favorite herb as they give it lots of flavor but are not overpowering.

Bay leaves – release a fantastic aroma once they come in contact with the boiling water. Please do not skip this step.

Onion – once softened the flavor in your dish will be a sweet and savory one.

Salt – seasoning

Cresson salad – watercress, clean well and dry. Green salad or spinach can be a substitute.

Dates – bring a beautiful sweet flavor against the garlic and scallions.

Scallions – add a level of spicy taste that balances well against the sweetness of the dates.

Lemon – provides the acidity needed to make this dish a salad. You can also choose a rich French vinegar.

Mint leaves – refreshing summer flavors and add seasoning to your garbanzo beans salad.

Sumac – deepens the flavor of your dressing mixture.

Olive oil – brings it all together as a salad.

savory cresson, garbanzo beans, dates salad in a plate over a white table

Cooking tips and step-by-step instructions on how to make this garbanzo bean salad

I recommend having all your ingredients ready when you start with this recipe.

Preparing the garbanzo

This step takes the longest; starting with it will allow you to have dinner at your table much sooner than expected.

  • Add the rinsed garbanzo beans, thyme, bay leaf, garlic, onions, and salt to a medium, heavy-bottom pot. Cover and bring to a gentle boil. Your garbanzos are done when they are soft to the touch but not mushy. Please do not use a lid, as you want to ensure they do not cook too fast.
  • Drain and set aside to cool down.

While the garbanzo beans are cooking, proceed to prepare the other ingredients by:

  • Chopping the dates, thinly slicing the scallions, and chopping the mint.

Assembling your salad

  • Now that the beans have cooled, add them to a salad bowl. Add all the other ingredients, toss well, and enjoy.
Cresson, garbanzo beans, dates salad

Pro Tips

Prepare all the other ingredients during the cooking time of the garbanzo bean. This will allow you to sit at the table within 30 minutes.

Enjoy this super easy recipe as a light lunch or as a side dish to any protein, roasted chicken being one of our favorites. Or seafood alongside these crunchy fried shrimp

Variations and Substitutions

Green salad or spinach can be a substitute for the cresson.

You can substitute the cresson with arugula salad. The arugula’s bitterness slightly changes the flavor, but the dates compensate for that.

If you have red peppers, slice them in julienne and add them to your salad.

Green olives also bring a great flavor to this salad.

Storage instructions:

  • You can prepare the garbanzo and all the other ingredients except the cresson the day before and keep it refrigerated.
  • Bring to room temperature, and add the cresson to it.
  • Mix well and add more olive oil if you so desire, and you have a quick last-minute meal ready quickly.
cresson, garbanzo beans, dates salad

Are you looking for other delicious recipes?

Garbanzo Beans Croquettes

Delicata Squash, Radicchio and Garbanzo Salad

Brussels Sprouts, Cauliflower and Chickpeas

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between chickpeas and garbanzo beans?

Garbanzo beans and chickpeas are the same and can be used interchangeably in this recipe. In the US, they are called chickpeas; in Europe, they are called garbanzo beans.

Are hominy and garbanzo beans the same thing?

Hominy is sometimes compared to chickpeas. While they are prepared similarly when dried and taste alike, the similarity stops there. Hominy is made from field corn or maize soaked in lime or ash solutions.

Why do some people call chickpeas garbanzo beans?

Chickpeas and garbanzo beans are different names for the same type of legume. Neither one is the wrong name to use.

Cresson, Garbanzo Beans, Dates Salad

5 from 21 votes
cresson, garbanzo beans, dates salad
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 30 minutes
Servings: 4 people
Author: Giangi Townsend
The rich flavor of the garbanzo beans that have retained the flavor of the onion, garlic, and thyme, blended with scallions, sumac, sweet chopped dates, and lemon, is out of this world.
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Ingredients 

  • 15 ounces garbanzo beans, rinsed
  • 2 garlic cloves
  • 4 thyme sprigs
  • 1 bay leaf
  • ½ onion, quartered
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 8 ounces cresson salad
  • ¾ cup dates, chopped fresh pitted
  • 2 tablespoons scallion, finely sliced
  • 1 lemon, zest plus juice
  • ¼ cup mint, chopped + some for garnish (optional)
  • ½ teaspoon sumac
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil

Instructions

Preparing the Garbanzo Beans

  • In a medium pot add the rinsed garbanzo beans, thyme, bay leaf, garlic, onion, and salt. Cover with water and bring to a boil. Boil for 15 to 20 minutes, the garbanzo beans need to be soft, whole but not mushy.
  • Remove from heat and with a skimmer spatula remove the garlic, thyme, bay leaf, and onion. Drain the garbanzo beans and set them aside to cool down.

Assembling the salad

  • Once the garbanzo beans are cool down, place them in a salad bowl, and add the dates, scallions, lemon zest and lemon juice, mint, sumac, and 1 tablespoon olive oil. Mix well until everything is well incorporated. Add the cresson salad, a little bit more of the remaining olive oil and mix gently and serve.
  • Garnish with fresh mint and more lemon zest, however, this step is optional.

Nutrition

Calories: 340kcal | Carbohydrates: 56g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 10g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 616mg | Potassium: 751mg | Fiber: 12g | Sugar: 24g | Vitamin A: 2035IU | Vitamin C: 45mg | Calcium: 155mg | Iron: 4mg

Giangi’s Kitchen provides nutritional information, but these figures should be considered estimates, as a registered dietician does not calculate them.

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Originally published on October 20, 2020.