Given my love of hearty salads it’s probably no surprise that when it comes to family gatherings I am generally given the task of bringing along a salad or two. With Christmas fast approaching I thought it was about time I started playing with some options to make this year and so far this roast chickpea & sweet potato salad is sitting in first place.
The slightly crunchy spiced chickpeas combined with the creamy goats cheese is an absolute winner and in my family you can never go wrong with potatoes of any form so I have a feeling if I was to show up with this I would be rather popular! The addition of the cranberries makes it the perfect Christmas salad in my books!
Ingredients List
- 1 1/2 tbs soy sauce
- 1tsp honey
- 3tsp paprika
- 3tsp cumin
- 2tsp cinnamon
- 2tsp chilli flakes
- 2tbs olive oil
- Juice of a lemon
- 2 cans chickpeas
- 1 large or 1 1/2 medium sweet potatoes
- 200g baby spinach
- 1/3 cup almonds
- 1/2 cup dried cranberries
- 100g goats cheese
Steps
- Preheat oven to 200C
- Combine the soy sauce, honey, spices, oil and juice of half the lemon and whisk together.
- Drain and rinse the chickpeas then place in a baking dish and pour over the spice marinade. Toss to coat and set aside for 10-15 minutes.
- Peel and dice the sweet potato and place on a baking tray. Drizzle with a little oil and toss to coat.
- Put both trays in the oven and roast for 30 minutes, until sweet potato is cooked through and chickpeas are starting to crisp up.
- To build the salad combine the spinach, sweet potato and chickpeas in your bowl or platter then top with roughly chopped almonds, dried cranberries and goats cheese. Pour over the juice of the remaining half lemon.
- Enjoy!
The best part of testing Christmas recipes is it means I get to eat delicious salads like this for days afterwards! I was a very happy camper at work for a few days, that’s for sure! I do love a bit of crunch in my salads so the addition of nuts is pretty important, but if you’re not a fan of almonds then walnuts would be equally as delicious.
Have you started thinking about what you’ll cook for Christmas yet? Do you have any favourite salads for special occasions?
Now, over to the linkup! What a fab collection we had last week – I can’t wait to see what you’ve all been cooking! I’ve been sharing the recipes on the I Spy Plum Pie Facebook & Twitter, so make sure you’re following along and keep your eye out for your recipe to star!
[inlinkz_linkup id=471644 mode=1]
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I Spy Plum Pie is Liz, an early 30s kiwi-born, Melbourne raised girl who is passionate about the environment and sustainability, food, exploring and learning new things. Join me on my journey to a happy, sustainable life!
Cindy
December 1, 2014 at 11:44 am (9 years ago)This looks terrific! I imagine it’d be popular at a potluck and do just as nicely as dinner on its own.
Cindy recently posted…Banana butterscotch pudding
I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
December 1, 2014 at 3:52 pm (9 years ago)Thanks Cindy! Yep, I loved it on it’s own but I reckon it’ll go equally well as part of a combo of salads at a pot luck!
Lauren @ Create Bake Make
December 1, 2014 at 12:30 pm (9 years ago)Oh goodness this looks good! Your family sounds similar to mine, if it’s got potatoes in it, you can’t go wrong! This is such a great Christmas salad idea, we try to stick with lighter meals on Christmas Day as it’s so hot and humid here in Brisbane.
Lauren @ Create Bake Make recently posted…White Chocolate and Oreo Fudge
I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
December 1, 2014 at 3:53 pm (9 years ago)Yep, my mum does the best roast potatoes so whenever I’m home for dinner she makes them, even if they’re not a traditional match to what she’s cooking! Can’t beat a roast tatie in my books!
Lucy @ Bake Play Smile
December 2, 2014 at 6:30 am (9 years ago)I’m so sorry I’m a day linking up!!! Yesterday was crazy and I just didn’t get a chance! That salad looks incredible by the way. Yum!
Lucy @ Bake Play Smile recently posted…1 Super Easy Shortbread Recipe 4 Ways
I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
December 3, 2014 at 1:31 pm (9 years ago)No problem lovely, thanks for joining in again! xx
Bec
December 2, 2014 at 8:47 am (9 years ago)This is my kinda salad! It looks amazing. Salads are all I am craving on these hot days so I will be trying this for sure! Lovely recipe and thanks for hosting the Link up Liz xx
Bec recently posted…’tis the season to bake jolly
I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
December 3, 2014 at 1:32 pm (9 years ago)Yep, I basically just eat salad all summer long!
merilyn
December 2, 2014 at 4:24 pm (9 years ago)thanks liz! … this salad looks delicious!
love all of those things!
I love the presentation on the flat plate too! cheers! m:)X
I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
December 3, 2014 at 1:32 pm (9 years ago)Thanks Merilyn, it’s a gorgeous plate isn’t it!
Anna
December 3, 2014 at 12:07 pm (9 years ago)Looks delish!
Question – do you serve it hot or cold? Or both? Can’t wait to try 🙂
I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
December 3, 2014 at 1:33 pm (9 years ago)Both! I had some warm (not piping hot though) and then ate the rest cold and it was delish both ways!
peregrinationgourmande
December 8, 2014 at 3:14 am (9 years ago)It looks delicious. And colorful. Yummy!
peregrinationgourmande recently posted…Home made Oreo biscuits
I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
December 9, 2014 at 9:02 pm (9 years ago)Nothing better than colourful food!
Malinda @mybrownpaperpackages
December 8, 2014 at 8:36 pm (9 years ago)This salad looks delish! I get sick of taking the same old salad plate along. Will trot this one out next time. Thanks.
Malinda @mybrownpaperpackages recently posted…Have a Laugh on Me
I Spy Plum Pie (admin)
December 9, 2014 at 9:04 pm (9 years ago)Hope it’s well received Malinda!