Quick Lunch: Chicka Chicka Chickpea Salad ♥

"Where shall we go for lunch?" is the question-of-the-day in many offices. But since I've worked from home for more than ten years now, I know that just around the corner is today's (and yesterday's and tomorrow's) lunch spot, aka, the frig.

But some days there's just no appeal to last night's soup or the weekend's leftover roast chicken or even the ultra low-brow Satisfying Lunch in One Point. I want something fresh and bright and filling and and not-leftover.

Thanks to Orangette, this is my new go-to lunch though with considerably more points. (Chickpeas always surprise me with calorie count. I'm not saying they shouldn't be eaten. They just taste more virtuous than the numbers add up.) Whether I return to my office to browse food blogs or step outside to enjoy a bit of early-spring warmth on the patio, this salad has become a mainstay.

SIDE NOTE I'm also becoming addicted to Great Harvest's tomato herb rolls -- and applaud Great Harvest for finally making smaller-size rolls. This little guy is whole-grain chew and flavor -- all for one point. And as Great Harvest goes, the rolls are relatively inexpensive, $4 for a pack of six.

CHICKA CHICKA CHICKPEA LUNCH

See Orangette's Inspiration
Hands-on time: 10 minutes
Time to table: 10 minutes
Serves 2

1 15-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
Zest and juice of half a lemon
1/2 tablespoon olive oil
1/4 cup shredded Parmesan

Mix. Enjoy. That's all there is to it! I use the "ribbon Microplane" for both the zest and Parmesan so they don't melt. Some times I'll add a chopper pepper or cucumber. At night, I've turned in some leftover roast chicken.

NUTRITION ESTIMATE
Per Serving: 266 Cal (25% from Fat, 22% from Protein, 53% from Carb); 16 g Protein; 8 g Tot Fat; 3 g Sat Fat; 37 g Carb; 13 g Fiber; NetCarb 24; 141 mg Calcium; 0 mg Iron; 407 mg Sodium; 11 mg Cholesterol; Weight Watchers 6 points

Per Serving but without Parmesan: 212 Cal (17% from Fat, 19% from Protein, 64% from Carb); 11 g Protein; 4 g Tot Fat; 0 g Sat Fat; 37 g Carb; 13 g Fiber; NetCarb24; 2 mg Calcium; 0 mg Iron; 216 mg Sodium; 0 mg Cholesterol; Weight Watchers 5 points

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A Veggie Venture is home of the Veggie Evangelist Alanna Kellogg and vegetable inspiration from Asparagus to Zucchini. © Copyright 2007