Brown Chickpea Protein Salad

I was on the second day of my salad week and was feeling low on energy. Probably because the other day I sweated out on exercise and only had green juice and mixed greens salad as my meals. So I decided to make a salad that fills my stomach and also fulfills the no-carbs protein diet. And there it was! My pantry is full of various kinds of beans and lentils. Out of all, brown chickpeas are my favorite. Brown Chickpeas or Desi Chana are delicious when they are cooked right. And it does not have to be dull or tasteless. I give it an Indian twist to make a 'Chana Chaat' that is healthy, tasty and full of good stuff! Hope you like it!

Prep time: 20 mins; Cook time: 5 mins; Serves: 2

Ingredients:

1 1/2 cup soaked brown chickpeas/Kala chana/Desi Chana

1/4 onion finely chopped

1 tomato finely chopped

1/2 apply diced

1-2 sweet peppers or 1 red/yellow pepper finely chopped

Mixed greens of your choice

Lemon juice from 1 whole lemon

Salt and pepper

2-3 tsp Chaat Masala or any seasoning of your choice

1 tsp baking soda

Method:

Cook the Chana in an Instant Pot on Bean setting for about 20 mins. Add salt and 1 tsp baking soda to it

Alternatively, you can pressure cook them for 5-7 whistles or boil them in a pot

Once done, mix all the ingredients in a bowl and add the lemon juice and the seasoning

Optional - add cheese if you like

Serve!