French Chickpea Salad
Ingredients
- 1 cup (1/2 pound) dried chick-peas picked over and rinsed
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 red onion halved and sliced thin
- 1 tomato diced
- 3/4 cup Nicoise or other small brine cured black olives, pitted and chopped
- 1 green bell pepper, chopped
- 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh parsley leaves
- 1/4 teaspoon dried oregano, crumbled
- 1/8 teaspoon dried tarragon, crumbled
- 1/4 cup shredded fresh basi leaves
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 tablespoon white-wine vinegar
- 3 tablespoons olive oil
- 2 Garlic cloves, minced
Instructions
(Chick Pea Salad). In a large saucepan let the chick-peas soak in water to cover at room temperature for at least 8 hours or overnight, drain them, and rinse them well. IN a large saucepan bring 8 cups water to a boil with the chick-peas and simmer the chick-peas, covered, for 1 hour. Add the salt, simmer the chick-peas for 15 minutes more, or until they are tender, and drain them well. The chick-peas may be prepared 1 day in advance and kept covered and chilled. In a bowl of ice and cold water let the onion soak for 10 minutes, drain it well, and pat it dry. In a large bowl combine the chick-peas, the onion, the tomato, the olives, the bell pepper, and the parsley. In a small bowl whisk together the oregano, the tarragon, the basil, the lemon juice, the vinegar, the oil, the garlic, and salt and black pepper to taste. Pour the dressing over the chick-pea mixture and toss the salad gently but thoroughly. Serves 6 to 8.
