Summertime is made for salads. The summer brings us all sorts of wonderful produce, from leafy greens to crisp zucchini to juicy berries. Need we even talk about seasonal favorites such as sweet, crunchy corn and luscious tomatoes? The bounty of great produce is in abundance this time of the year and with their big flavors and textures, are best enjoyed fresh and unadorned. To commemorate the beginning of grape season, we’re featuring a simple Chickpea and Grape Salad this week. Our Peeled and Steamed Garbanzo Beans, also known as chickpeas, serves as the main protein while our Red Muscato Grapes add a bright hint of sweetness. Combined with the mustardy, peppery arugula and crispy walnuts, this light summer salad boasts a remarkable blend of flavors that’s anything but ordinary.
There’s something special about Muscato Grapes. They’re sweeter than your average grape with a firm texture that’s bursting with summertime flavor. With grape season in full swing, it should be no challenge to eat plenty of them in the coming months. Muscato Grapes come in 3 different colors: red, green and black. Red Muscato Grapes are sweeter than Green Muscato Grapes, which have a more tangy flavor and crunchy texture. However, Black Muscato Grapes has the most pronounced sweetness out of the three colors with a softer texture. For today’s recipe, we recommend using the Red Muscato Grapes for their gorgeous rosy-red color and delicious, balanced taste.
Yields: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 4 packages of Peeled and Steamed Garbanzo Beans
- 1 package of pomegranate arils
- 1/2 of a red onion, chopped
- 4 cups of arugula
- 1 cup of Red Muscato Grapes, sliced in halves
- 1/2 cup of walnuts, chopped
- 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil
- 2 teaspoons of honey
- Juice of 2 lemons
- Salt and pepper to taste
1. Begin by making the dressing. Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper.
2. In a large bowl, combine the Peeled and Steamed Garbanzo Beans, pomegranate arils, red onion, arugula, grapes and walnuts.
3. Pour the dressing over the ingredients and toss together until everything is thoroughly mixed together.
4. Serve the salad cold as an appetizer or a light meal.
Have you ever tried Muscato Grapes before? What other light salads do you like to eat in the summertime?