Sometimes the best recipes are unplanned. I have a big book where I write down all my recipe ideas, some get made right away and some are still sitting there from last summer. When I’m going to cook something for the blog I usually open it up, pick something out, and then it ends up on here a few days later! But, other times I’m hungry, need to eat lunch, and throw together a meal with whatever I have lying around the house.
This salad would be one of those recipes! I usually make some sort of taco salad and although I think it is delicious, it doesn’t end up on the blog because there isn’t much of a recipe involved. And, ironically, one of the reasons I decided to share this recipe with you is because there isn’t much of a recipe involved š
This recipe requires no oven or stove use and can be thrown together in about ten minutes. And if you eat it with some tortilla chips, like I did, it is kinda like a taco salad! To me, it is one of the most perfect summer salads and it is packed with a few of my favorite ingredients that I always make sure to have on hand, chickpeas, kale, avocado, lime and basil.
Can you believe it is almost August?! I hope everyone is staying cool and enjoying the summer š
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Chopped Kale Salad with Smashed Chickpeas & Avocado
- Total Time: 10 minutes
- Yield: 2-4 1x
Ingredients
- 1 small bunch kale
- 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 1 large avocado, pit removed and scooped out from skin
- Juice of 1 1/2 limes, divided
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon chopped basil
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- Olive oil
Instructions
- Pull off the rib of each leaf of kale and chop kale leaves into small pieces. Place chopped kale into a medium sized bowl and drizzle with about 1/2 teaspoon of olive oil, juice of half a lime and a small pinch of salt. Massage the kale for a few minutes and let sit.
- Add the chickpeas and avocado to a medium sized bowl and smash with a potato masher. Add the juice of one lime, garlic, salt and basil. Mix until combined.
- Add the chickpea and avocado mixture to the kale and mix. Serve with tortilla chips if desired.
- Prep Time: 10 mins
- Category: Salad, Gluten Free, Vegan
Wow, I’ve never had kale salad before but you had me at chickpea + avocado topping. I will need to keep your recipe in mind until kale season [starts around November for us …].
I used to be scared of raw kale but with a little dressing it is so good! The avocado and chickpeas definitely help too!
Oh man, that chickenpea and avocado smash looks like the BEST kind of guaca-hummus hybrid. So yum! This looks amazing!
Haha, it is a guac hummus hybrid! Two of my favorite things!
I definitely agree that the best recipes are often the unplanned ones. This looks like a great hearty but light summer salad. Love the basil in it!
Thanks Katie! The basil sounded strange to me at first, but I now think that basil goes with everything!
This salad looks delicious, Izzy! I actually just made a sandwich with similar ingredients, so I’m loving this salad! Such a great idea to use kale, too!
Thank you, Gayle! Smashed chickpea sandwiches are the best!! I could eat them for every meal š
This salad is healthy and delicious.. Love it! š
Thanks Arpita!
I’m the same! Most times I go to ‘the book’ but once in awhile I randomly crave something else that HAS to go up on the blog ASAP. And they’re usually the best recipes, too š Looks delicious, Izzy!
I agree! I hope most of the ones in my book are good too, but sometimes a super great idea just comes a long and you have to share it!
Oh I just love the sound of this with the chickpeas and avocado!
haha oh man, I have a list of recipe ideas and it sometimes amazes me how certain things get made right away and others have been sitting there foreverrrrr. Like, why do I keep them on the list if they’ve been there for over a year! But I do … just in case š
Thanks Ashley! Avocados and chickpeas are my new favorite combo! I know, some ideas finally just fizzle out, but I’m hoping I still have some good ones in there š
This looks so good! I can never have enough avocados. I want to put them between two slices of bread for a sandwich. YUM!
Thanks Liz! I can’t get enough either! My husband doesn’t eat them very much so I always end up eating the entire avocado in one sitting š
Wow, that salad is the best!! I love all the ingredients š
Thank you! I’ve been eating it for lunch everyday and it just keeps getting better š
I think the best recipes come from no planning at all. That’s what I find anyway.
I have been putting kale in the majority of my salads recently, as they add a nice texture.
I agree! It is nice to know you can still make a great meal with random stuff in your kitchen! Kale in salads is the best š
Oh my goodness, this gorgeous salad is SO up my alley, Izzy! I’m looking for any and every way to use up the rest of the kale in my garden and I just believe that this is IT! Totally drooling over that smashed chickpea + avocado goodness!
Thank you so much, Sarah!! I had a feeling you would like this salad! I’m totally jealous of all your garden bounty š
This looks delicious! So much protein from the chickpeas and avo!
Thanks Medha! I agree š
I’ve been finding any excuse to keep my oven off lately, it is sooo hot outside! I love how quick this comes together, plus chickpeas and avocados are always delicious!
It is so hot here too!! I agree, they are the best combo ever š