Chotpoti/Chickpea Salad

The good old days when I made new friends after moving in an apartments complex and we just clicked. Then we used to meet almost everyday, went for shopping together, had breakfast, lunch, late afternoon snack together, enjoyed evening stroll with unlimited chitchat. Yes, I am taking a nostalgic walk back to memory lane as I think about this lip smacking snack that I learned from my sweet Bangladeshi friend Silva. It's a very healthy snack studded with cucumber, tomato, red onion, cilantro and spicy black salt lemon dressing. 

Chotpoti is basically salad but it is served as snack. I have tasted different types but she makes the best. She would saute chickpeas with cumin, turmeric and hot chili powder, then mix that hot chickpeas immediately with chopped cucumber, tomato, red onion, cilantro and green chili, black salt lemon dressing. It's so flavorful, refreshing, tasty, healthy, low calorie, low fat, gluten free and grain free. Oh yes, Silva's Chotpoti really stands out! Snack on it anytime or serve as side dish to any meal.

Chickpeas is a great source of plant protein, fiber,vitamin and iron. Soaking and cooking dried chickpeas is bit time consuming but it's worth the effort. I soak overnight and boil it in a pressure cooker until 2-3 whistles instead of boiling in a pan that takes way longer time to cook.

Ingredients~
1 cup dried chickpeas 
1/4 tsp turmeric
1/4 tsp hot chili powder 
1/2 tsp cumin powder
1/4 tsp salt or to taste
1/4 tsp back salt
1 1/2 tbsp oil
1 cup chopped cucumber
1 cup chopped tomato
3/4 cup chopped red onion
1-2 tbsp chopped green chili or as per taste
2 tbsp or more freshly squeezed lemon juice
A few sprigs of cilantro

Method~
wash and soak chickpeas in 2 1/2 cups water overnight. Drain water and cook chickpeas in a pressure cooker with enough water to cover it, 1/2 tsp salt and 1/8 tsp turmeric over medium high heat until 2-3 whistles. Let pressure release naturally. Heat oil in a medium pan over high heat. Dump boiled chickpeas and saute with cumin, turmeric and chili powder until water evaporates.   

In a large bowl, stir together sauteed chickpeas, veggies, green chilies, black salt, lemon juice together until well combined. Taste and adjust seasonings. Serves up to 4-5. Delicious!!

Happy Cooking!!