Recipe of the week: Chickpea, Pomegranate and Harissa salad

A nutritious, cheap, and filling lunch.

People who love to eat are always the best people. Well, that’s what world-renowned chef and author Julia Child (see movie Julie and Julia, 2009) reportedly said. And I totally agree. I don’t know about you, but I spend a lot of my time thinking about food. Don’t judge me, but during the day at work, when I have a few moments, I often find myself thinking about what I am going to cook that evening and what flavours will best work together. And once I get home, I enjoy nothing more than getting into the kitchen and experimenting with textures, flavours and colours and coming up with something that is balanced, nutritious, beautiful to look at, and so utterly scrummy, that I simply cannot wait to devour it.

One of the best salads I've had in some time. Thank you! – Sam

Whereas in my younger years I could eat whatever and whenever I wanted with impunity, as I get older, what and when I eat are increasingly important. But there is no need to sacrifice flavour and colour and good, tasty, wholesome food need not be expensive, complicated, or boring.

Here, with the help of Chef Renee London of The London Food Co we have put together a beautiful quick, filling, and nutritious recipe to suit any budget. Can be served with crumbled feta, as a side or base for grilled meat or fish, or straight up on the rocks for a nutritious, cheap, and filling lunch. Go on, give it a try. And be sure to let me know what you think.

Chickpea, Pomegranate and Harissa salad

Ingredients

• I tin of chickpeas – drained and rinsed

• ¼ cup of fresh pomegranate seeds

• ½ red onion – finely sliced

• 1 red chilli – finely sliced (seeds removed if you would like it mild, keep seeds for spicier)

• 1/3 cucumber, diced in to 1cm cubes

• 10g fresh mint – roughly chopped

• 10g fresh parsley – roughly chopped

• 3 tbsp harissa paste

• 2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

• The juice of one large lemon

• Sea salt and cracked black pepper to taste

Steps: It's Really Easy

We'll keep it short and to the point:

1. Add all ingredients to a bowl and combine thoroughly.

2. Season with salt and pepper to taste.

3. Enjoy.