the cooked and the raw

This is a very easy salad which can be served as a very healthy and satisfying main course.
I love the texture of the chickpeas but what I love even more is their pronounced nutty flavour which matches perfectly with the mild bitterness of the Swiss chard. The miso and lemon dressing gives the dish a very unique, pleasant, sweet and tangy taste. I like cooking my own chickpeas, but preparing this salad can be even quicker if you use canned ones.

Ingredients (makes 4-6 servings):

For the salad

2 cups chickpeas, cooked

green parts of 6-8 Swiss chard leaves, and 2 stems

3 tablespoons oil of your choice for stir fry

whole sea salt (to taste)

white pepper

For the dressing

¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

1½ teaspoon brown rice miso paste

juice of 2 lemons

1 teaspoon brown rice syrup

1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil

1 tablespoon black sesame seeds

whole sea salt (to taste)

Salad

Wash well the chard stems and cut off any tough parts. Cut into pieces about 1-2 cm wide. Wash the Swiss chard leaves and chop them up. In a wok heat your chosen oil. Add a little bit of water, throw in the chard stems and leaves, and cook, stirring, until wilted, for a few minutes. Add the chickpeas, sprinkle with salt and pepper and toss. Transfer the Swiss chards to a salad bowl, draining off any liquid, and let it cool while you prepare the dressing.

Dressing

In a small bowl, mix the olive oil, brown rice syrup, lemon juice, sesame oil and sesame seeds. Melt the miso paste in 1 tablespoon warm water, stirring until dissolved. Add the miso to the rest of the dressing and stir well. Adjust with sea salt (if necessary).

Assembling your Swiss chard salad

To serve, divide the salad among individual plates and drizzle with the dressing. Add some more sesame seeds, for garnish.