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Cresson, Garbanzo Beans, Dates Salad
- 30 mins total
- 10 mins prep
- 20 mins cook
- serves 4 people
Cresson, Garbanzo Beans, Dates Salad.Skip To The Recipe
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I am absolutely in love with garbanzo beans, or chickpeas. 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 carry cresson salad, or for my Anglo-Saxon friends, watercress.
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.
I have also been experimenting with new spices. Therefore, wanted to play outside my box and this recipe is the result.
Do not let the easiness of the recipe fool you. 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. I found myself having to make a double batch as I never have leftovers.
Perfect party dish as well, as it can be prepared halfway the day before and at the last minute assembled with the cresson.
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.
Garbanzo Beans and dates
Garbanzo beans and dates are highly nutritional too. Here you have a healthy pack lunch or dinner in your hands.
A fully vegan and gluten-free packed salad that will leave you satisfied and light.
I am adding sumac to my repertoire of spices and cooking. Love the flavor and how well it marries with lemon juice. They compliment each other well. Quite a diversified spice that blends well with other herbs too.
Why I am boiling the Garbanzo beans?
A while back a 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 thus I wanted to use that method here while adding extra flavors to it.
The dressing penetrated deeper into the garbanzo beans, giving this salad a richer savory flavor to it.
If you were to choose to use dry garbanzo beans, please do soak them overnight in a large bowl of cold water, and change the water couple of times during that period. Once they are rehydrated and ready to be enjoyed, use the same process of boiling them. This will give each bean an extra layer of flavor.
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.
TIPS
- You can prepare the garbanzo and all the other ingredients with the exception of 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 in no time.
- During the cooking time of the garbanzo beans, prepare all the other ingredients. This will allow you to be sitting at the table within 30 minutes.
- You can substitute the cresson with arugula salad. A slight change in flavor due to the bitter nature of the arugula, however, the dates compensate for that.
Enjoy this super easy recipe either as a light lunch or as a side dish to any proteins. My favorite would be alongside fish.
Looking for other delicious recipes?
Delicata Squash, Radicchio and Garbanzo Salad
Brussels Sprouts, Cauliflower and Chickpeas
Nutrition Facts
Cresson, Garbanzo Beans, Dates Salad
Amount Per Serving
Calories 340
Calories from Fat 90
% Daily Value*
Fat 10g15%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Sodium 616mg27%
Potassium 751mg21%
Carbohydrates 56g19%
Fiber 12g50%
Sugar 24g27%
Protein 12g24%
Vitamin A 2035IU41%
Vitamin C 45mg55%
Calcium 155mg16%
Iron 4mg22%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Cresson, Garbanzo Beans, Dates Salad
- 30 mins total
- 10 mins prep
- 20 mins cook
- serves 4 people
Ingredients
-
1 15-ounces garbanzo beans can, rinsed
-
2 garlic cloves
-
4 thyme sprigs
-
1 bay leaf
-
½ onion quartered
-
1 teaspoon salt
-
8 ounces cresson salad
-
¾ cup chopped fresh pitted dates
-
2 tablespoons scallions finely sliced
-
1 whole lemon zest plus juice
-
¼ mint leaves chopped + some for garnish (optional)
-
½ heaping teaspoon sumac
-
2 tablespoons olive oil
Instructions
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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 tehm aside to cool down.
-
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 1tablespoon 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.
Originally published on October 20, 2020. Updated on January 31, 2022
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Great looking salad.
Love chickpeas in salads. Makes it filling and a good protein option for vegetarians.
Thank you Preeti, I am trying to incorporate more vegetarian recipes or suggestions on how to make it more vegetarian.
Thank you for stopping by Giangi’s Kitchen.
Absolutely a delightful salad, any excuse to enjoy some dates. Filling and healthy too. Hopefully will get a chance to make this salad soon but without the cresson. Will use other salad leaves.
Thank you, Mayuri. You can replace the cresson with arugula or spinach, it will be delicious as well and I am sure you will enjoy it.
Enjoy it and thank you for stopping by Giangi’s Kitchen.
I like to eat salad in my week lunch, l m always looking for new ideas, your looks very delicious with dates. I need to make 😋
Thank you Francy! It is quite an enjoyable salad and marries so well with the dates. Love to have your feedback when you make it.
Enjoy it!
This is a wonderful salad. I love garbonzo beans are one of my favourite foods.
Thank you! I would eat them every other day if I could. Love them simple with olive oil and vinegar or in a more elaborate salad.
Enjoy!!
I share your love for chickpeas and also use it in salads or chillies. I usually buy a large pack -5kg or so, boil small parts, and freeze it, so that is ready when I need it. Healthy, filling and delicious!
That is fantastic!! I love chickpeas and you are giving some sound and fantastic advice, thank you.
Wonderful salad with an unusual combination of flavors that works so well together! Bravo!
This looks so yummy and refreshing! I’ve never had watercress, but will try with arugula.
Thank you! You will enjoy it with the arugula. The watercress is similar in taste as the arugula.
Enjoy!
I love cresson, especially cresson salad! We make them a lot in Madagascar. This recipe is delicious; I can’t wait to try it! 😋
Thank you so much Colette. I was so fortunate to found cresson here and jump to the opportunity to prepare something with it.
Enjoy this cresson, garbanzo beans, dates salad and love your feedback one you do.
Bon Appetit!!
Giangi
I love trying something different and this salad sounds delicious. I bet the sumac and lemon really freshen up the earthy flavor of the chickpeas. and the dates give it just a touch of sweetness. Can’t wait to try this with grilled chicken or fish. Thanks.
Thank you! You will love it with any poultry, fish, or meats. Full of flavor that will satisfy any appetite. THe sumac and lemon bring out such a fantastic flavor to this salad.
Enjoy!
Giangi
That’s one very healthy and nutritious salad. I’m going to make it tomorrow for lunch. can’t wait.
Bon Appetit! I am sure you will enjoy it!
I am always on the hunt for a good, easy salad. This was so perfect, easy and delicious!
I am glad to find this recipe. I have just started eating dates and love them, but I have never used them in cooking or baking. Also, I received sumac for a present and have not used it yet. Definitely making this salad.
This salad with garbanzo beans and dates is so delicious! We had to substitute the cresson tho because I cannot find it anywhere here. I followed your suggestion above and went with arugula and spinach. Everybody loved it here!
I am so happy you made it and everyone enjoyed it. Such a great light lunch or side dish.
Thank you for sharing with me.
As always, your recipes are so delicious and healthy. I love this one! P.S. I used your suggestion for spinach since since I did not find cresson. Will make it again.
Wonderful! I am so happy you enjoyed it with the spinach.
Thank you for stopping by my page.
I can imagine all these wonderful flavors mixing together into a perfect symphony of tastes and textures! I’ll be definitely trying it out very soon. Thank you for the recipe.
My pleasure! I hope you will try it as I am sure you will like it.
love the texture and flavour of this salad! so nourishing too
Thank you!
This salad looks fantastic. Chickpeas are one of my favourite foods and I am so intrigued about boiling them to impart more flavor.
The onion, bay leaf, and garlic once the garbanzo starts softening, the flavors start infusing themself in the garbanzo. Quite yummy. I hope you will try it.
I loved the flavor combination. Will definitely make again.
Thank you!
loving everything about this salad! i never thought to add dates into mine. definitely will be moving forward!
I love dates and anywhere I can use them I try to do it.
Enjoy!
I will try this for the Chinese New Year celebration.
THank you, Daniel! Happy New Year!
I havent tried watercres yet on my salad but this salad looks so refreshing. Love the addition of dates
Thank you, Jeannie! Watercress is hard sometimes to find.
Enjoy!
I love your fruit addition to this already perfect (and super healthy) salad. I did not have fresh dates and used fewer dried ones when I made it, but the salad was still very tasty. I need to remember to buy fresh next time😁
I love dates and when I can get fresh one’s I am in heaven, so sweet and tasty.
I am glad you enjoyed the salad.
THIS RECIPE TAKES SALAD TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL (yes I am yelling but an excited yelling). The flavors are sweet, rich, and refreshing all at the same time. SO GOOD! Thank you for another wonderful recipe.
The pleasure is all mine, thank you for making it.
This sounds so light and tasty, and I love anything with dates! Yum!
You will enjoy this salad as it is so rich in flavor.
Lovely salad with chickpea Giangi. Liked the addition of dates in it, will add it the next time I make it.
Thank you! I am sure you will enjoy it.