Middle Eastern Inspired Chickpea Salad

This is a recipe I made up on my own. It was inspired by middle eastern fattoush:

1 can of chickpeas (drained and rinsed)
1 red bell pepper diced
1/2 red onion finely chopped
1 med-large cucumber peeled, seeds removed, and diced
1 bunch parsley chopped*

1/4 cup fresh lemon juice
1/4 cup olive oil
3 tbs ground sumac
2-3 garlic cloves minced

Wisk together lemon juice, olive oil, sumac, and garlic. Mix in chickpeas, pepper, onion, cucumber, and parsley.


*Confession: I actually did not serve this with parsley but would in the future.


It was pretty good. I am hoping that after the flavors meld, it will be even better tomorrow. I served it with seared tempeh. I have decided that tempeh is better served marinated in thick sauces and when seared only using an oil based marinade, it doesn't taste as well. Otherwise, I would recommend serving this salad with garlicky chicken kabobs.

It took us two days and six different stores before we finally found some ground sumac. Of course, we found it at the local middle eastern food store, which is exactly where I should have gone in the first place. I was truly surprised that the Clintonville Community Market didn't have any because their bulk spice collection is immense. They have turtle shell. How they can have turtle shell and not ground sumac, I will never understand.