Vegan Chickpea Salad Sandwiches

I like meat. I revel in Korean BBQ with piles of it marinated for me to cook tableside with crisp edges and juicy richness. I love carne asada & roast chicken and I can make a mean pork tenderloin. I also like vegetables. Lots of them and I can totally appreciate a diet filled with them. So when one of my Vegan friends comes over for a visit, I enjoy the challenge of making something that not only meets his food choices but would also satisfy the heartiest of meat-eaters.

A friend of ours came over to help M install faux beams on the ceiling and whenever someone comes over to help with a project my job is to make sure they are fed. That day I kind of felt like chicken salad but there was one problem. Our friend is Vegan. So, inspired by chicken salad, I whipped up this ah-mazing chickpea salad instead!

Here are the guys working on installing the beams:

It was a huge project – much more involved than we were expecting, but isn’t that always how it is?

Packed with fiber and a good amount of protein, these sandwiches kept the boys going all afternoon. Whether or not you follow a vegan lifestyle, these sandwiches will certainly satisfy your appetite. M asked for them again already verifying they are meat-lover approved!

Vegan Chickpea Salad Sandwiches

www.barbaracooks.com

Servings: 5 • Serving Size: 1 sandwich • Weight Watcher Points+: 10

Calories: 384 • Fat: 10g • Carbs: 61g • Fiber: 12g • Protein: 15g

Sugars: 9g • Sodium: 663mg • Cholesterol: 0mg

Ingredients:

• 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1/3 cup diced carrot
• 1/3 cup diced celery
• ¼ cup diced red onion
• 2 garlic cloves, minced
• 2 scallions, chopped
• 2 Tablespoons roasted salted sunflower seeds
• 1 teaspoon smoked paprika
• ¼ teaspoon Kosher salt
• 1/8 teaspoon ground black pepper
• Juice of 1 lemon
• 1 Tablespoon tahini
• ¼ cup hummus
• 1 teaspoon deli mustard
• 10 slices whole grain vegan bread*
• Sliced tomato & lettuce for sandwiches

*Nutrition facts calculated based on using whole grain bread at 110 calories per slice.

Directions:

In a medium bowl, lightly mash the chickpeas with a fork. Add the remaining ingredients with the exception of the bread, tomato & lettuce and stir well to combine. For each sandwich, spread a thick layer of the chickpea salad on one slice of bread and top with tomato, lettuce and a second slice of bread.