This Cherry Chickpea Cucumber Salad with an Almond Butter Dressing is a wonderful option for a simple and healthy lunch salad, packed with protein, fresh fruit and veggies, and flavor.
Before I talk about this salad, let’s chat about how I got out of my shell last night and stood in front of some ladies talking about Simple Summer Appetizers.
Yep, last night, I taught my first cooking class (!!!), talking all about easy tips for entertaining and minimizing your time in the kitchen while still making tasty and gorgeous snacks. Can we debrief for a second?
It didn’t feel real until I arrived to the space I rented out for the event, figuring out what materials to place at each prep station and setting out the ingredients I bought that morning for the recipes.
I was overeager and went ahead and pushed my attendees through 4 recipes – I wanted them to have an arsenal of easy ideas for summer entertaining. We also talked about how to easily change up these recipes with the season or depending on what you might have on hand.
The group made my Avocado Bruschetta, Edamame Hummus with fresh herbs, Apple + Manchego Bites with Balsamic Walnut Butter, and ended with a variety of flavored Candied Almonds. We also sipped/chugged some lemonade diluted with lots of sparkling water and mint, because it was freakin’ hot yesterday and the space didn’t have A/C.
It was such a fun evening full of tasty food, great chatting, and learning about each others’ favorite kitchen tips!
Now onto this salad recipe, right?
As I’ve been home for more lunches, I’ve been experimenting more with fancy salads. I still can’t believe I waited so long to enjoy cherries! They are perfect right now, and paired with sliced cucumber and chickpeas, this salad is hydrating, flavorful, and packed with protein.
The almond butter dressing is another way I have forcibly inserted more nut butter into my life. If you are an almond butter lover, you need to try this dressing out! A simple blend of AB, olive oil, and apple cider vinegar is a great new option to keep in the fridge for lunch breaks.
- 4 cups mixed baby lettuces
- ⅔ cherries (about 15-20)
- 1 and ½ cups sliced English cucumber
- 1 cup chickpeas
- ¼ cup diced red onion
- ¼ cup sunflower seeds
- ¼ cup salted almond butter
- 6 tablepsoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar
- On 2 plates, add 2 cups mixed baby lettuce.
- Pit and halve cherries, dividing them onto both plates. Thinly slice your cucumber and add about ¾ of a cup to each salad.
- Drain and rinse a can of chickpeas and add ½ cup to each salad.
- Dice the red onion and divide it between both salads, sprinkling each salad with 2 tablespoons of sunflower seeds as well.
- Combine dressing ingredients in a jar and shake or whisk it all together. Add additional olive oil to thin further. Dress salad as desired (you will have extra dressing).
Thanks for letting me blab a bit today – I just had such a fun time and wanted to share my experience with you!
Have you ever gone to a cooking class? Are you a cherry or almond butter fanatic like me?
Marisa
Rachel @ athletic avocado says
I love the sound of this unique flavor combo, and that almond butter dressing looks phenomenal! 🙂
Ashley says
A cooking class?! How fun!! And I loovveee almond butter dressing! So simple, so fresh, so healthy and no fillers!! Love it.
dixya | food, pleasure, and health says
i never thought of adding cherries to chickpea salad, this is a great idea.
Rebecca @ Strength and Sunshine says
I think it would be so fun (and stressful) to TEACH a cooking class! I hope to one day!
And yes to cherries and almond butter! Two AMAZING things!
Nora (A Clean Bake) says
Your cooking class sounds like a blast!! I wish I could have attended. I love this style of food that you are using in this recipe, and it sounds like, in your class as well – simple, flavorful and fresh!
Sam @ PancakeWarriors says
Oh cherries are on sale right now and I’m just eating them up! Love them in salads but can’t wait to try the almond butter dressing with them! Sounds amazing!
Cassie @ Almost Getting it Together says
So whenever you move to the Bay you’re going to have to host another cooking class so I can attend!!
Marisa says
Maybe 🙂 Or we can just cook dinner together!
Sara @ Oats & Rows says
Congrats on teaching your first cooking class! That’s awesome!
I am a huuuge fan of almond butter and cherries. This salad looks so yummy, I can’t wait to try it!
Marisa says
Thanks Sara! It was a blast!