Description
This Blistered Shishito Pepper Chickpea Salad Sandwich is a flavorful and satisfying vegetarian and vegan-friendly meal. Featuring charred shishito peppers combined with a zesty chickpea salad seasoned with smoked paprika, cumin, and fresh herbs, it offers a delicious twist on the classic chickpea sandwich. Perfect for a nutritious lunch or light dinner, this recipe is easy to prepare with fresh, wholesome ingredients.
Ingredients
Scale
Peppers
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- 6 ounces shishito peppers
Chickpea Salad
- 1 (15-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 2 tablespoons vegan or regular mayonnaise
- 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cumin
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/4 cup chopped red onion
- 1/4 cup chopped celery
- 1 tablespoon chopped fresh parsley
To Serve
- 4 sandwich buns or slices of hearty bread
- Optional toppings: lettuce, tomato slices, avocado
Instructions
- Blister the Peppers: Heat olive oil in a skillet over medium-high heat. Add the shishito peppers and cook, turning occasionally, until they are blistered and charred in spots, about 5 to 7 minutes. Once done, remove from heat and allow to cool slightly before chopping into bite-sized pieces.
- Prepare Chickpea Salad Base: In a large bowl, mash the chickpeas with a fork or potato masher, leaving some texture for a good bite. Stir in the mayonnaise, Dijon mustard, lemon juice, minced garlic, smoked paprika, ground cumin, salt, and pepper. Mix everything thoroughly until well combined.
- Combine Salad Ingredients: Fold in the chopped red onion, celery, fresh parsley, and the chopped blistered shishito peppers into the chickpea mixture. Mix gently to distribute all ingredients evenly.
- Assemble the Sandwiches: Toast the sandwich buns or bread slices if desired to add a slight crunch. Scoop the chickpea salad onto the bread, then add optional toppings such as lettuce, tomato slices, or avocado to enhance flavor and texture.
- Serve: Serve the sandwiches immediately for the best taste and freshness.
Notes
- You can substitute the shishito peppers with roasted bell peppers if shishito peppers are unavailable.
- This chickpea salad also works wonderfully in wraps or lettuce cups for a low-carb option.
- For those who enjoy heat, add a pinch of crushed red pepper flakes or diced jalapeño to the salad for extra spice.
