Sweet Potato and Chickpea Salad with Lime, Cilantro & Tahini Dressing

As seasons change, so too does our palette. Whether you ascribe to seasonal dietary changes as those who practice Ayurvedic nutrition do or not, most of us would agree that when the warmth of early fall burns out and winter sets upon us raw veggies and icy lemonade no longer sound so appealing. If we carefully, our bodies tend to crave warming foods—think roasted vegetables, soups and heating spices. We’re all far more likely to go to an Indian restaurant now than amidst the stifling heat and humidity of August.

While our natural instincts may lead us to butternut squash and parsnips, there are those of us that still need a good salad every now and again. A warm salad might just be what many of us need in order to give into the turning times while still feeling grounded and nourished. This warm salad, featuring vitamin-A rich sweet potato and fiber-rich chickpeas, is filling yet light, full of flavor yet detox-friendly.

Sweet Potato and Chickpea Salad with Lime, Cilantro and Tahini Dressing

(makes 4 servings)


What You’ll Need:

Sweet Potato and Chickpea Salad:

  • 2 large sweet potatoes (about 2 lbs), skin-on and cut into cubes
  • 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp smoked paprika
  • Pinch of red pepper flakes
  • Pinch of sea salt
  • 2 Tbs olive oil
  • 1/4 yellow onion, finely diced
  • 2 cups prepared chickpeas (canned works too)

Lime, Cilantro ad Tahini Dressing:

  • 2 small garlic cloves, minced
  • 1/4 fresh cilantro leaves
  • 1/4 yellow onion, finely diced
  • Juice of 2 limes
  • 1/4 cup tahini
  • Sea salt and pepper to taste

How to Make It:

  1. Preheat the oven to 425°F.
  2. In a large bowl, combine the sweet potato, spices, olive oil and a few pinches of sea salt. Toss until all pieces are evenly coated. Roast on a baking sheet for 30 min, or until soft.
  3. Remove from the oven and let cool.
  4. While the sweet potatoes roast, make the tahini dressing. In a food processor (or blender), add all ingredients and mix until smooth. Taste and adjust seasoning. You may opt to add a little water to thin it out.
  5. To bring it all together, combine the sweet potatoes, chickpeas, onion and cilantro in a mixing bowl. Add 3/4 of the dressing, gently folding it into the mixture and serve with the additional dressing on the side.

Be sure you enjoy this recipe right away. Otherwise, set aside the portion of salad you don’t plan to eat undressed and save a small container of the dressing. You can reheat the salad when you’re ready and top with the tasty dressing. This is a great salad to bring to work and keeps well in the refrigerator for up to four or five days.

Curried Hummus

Washington, D.C. is bursting with countless fabulous tapas restaurants. The 14th street corridor alone hosts Barcelona, Estadio and Masa 14. While these places are all delicious and buzzing with energy, sometimes it’s nice to have the small plate experience–you know the kind where you can eat lots of different things and not feel stuffed–in your own home.

One of the easiest and healthiest tapas you can make is hummus. For me, hummus is never boring, but if a traditional blend is too bland for you my recommendation is to spice it up. I don’t just mean the spicy pepper, make-your-upper-lip-sweat kind of spice, I mean any spice(s) you love.

Topping my most loved list are, turmeric, cumin and curry–in no particular order. When I discovered the west Indian spice blend Muchi curry powder at Whole Foods, it was a game changer. Muchi is a spicier version of curry powder cut with a blend of turmeric, cardamon and other aromatic spices. I look for as many ways to use this spice combo as possible and my latest creation is this Curried Hummus.

Curried Hummus | MOARfit via www.moar-fit.com

Since you’re making this hummus from scratch there are no preservatives just whole, healthy, real foods. Garbanzo beans serve as the foundation, both in terms of consistency and nutrient density. Like all beans, garbanzo beans (aka chickpeas) are an excellent source of immune-boosting and figure-friendly dietary fiber.

And as long as you have a food processor, this recipe could not be easier. Just drop all ingredients inside, blender, scrape into an air-tight container and, voila, you have a healthy tapas or mid-afternoon snack (carrots not included) for up to a week when stored in the refrigerator.

Curried Hummus | MOARfit via www.moar-fit.com

Curried Hummus

{makes 8 servings}

what you’ll need.

  • 1 can garbanzo beans, rinsed and drained
  • 1 Tbs tahini
  • 1 Tbs Muchi Curry Powder (available at Whole Foods)
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 small cloves of garlic
  • Juice and zest of one lemon
  • 1/4 cup olive oil
  • 1 Tbs sherry vinegar

how to make it.

  1. Combine all ingredients in a food processor. Add a little water if it’s too thick for your liking.
  2. Enjoy! (yes, it’s that easy)

Originally published on The DC Ladies blog September 3, 2014.