Chickpea salad sandwich is a great standby for a healthy, easy vegan lunch. When I was in college and without a kitchen, I would make monthly excursions to the health food store for vegan mayo, so I could make chickpea salad a few times a week. I loved having something other than hummus and iceberg lettuce to eat.

It wasn’t until recently though that I decided to experiment outside of my normal recipe, which usually consists of chickpeas, celery, peppers, vegannaise, and mustard. I came across a recipe via StumbleUpon for Tuna Sandwich with Coconut and Cilantro from The Year in Food.

I didn’t exactly veganize the recipe – I wasn’t feeling the capers and I didn’t feel like adding cilantro (although you certainly could) because I usually don’t have fresh on hand. So I just took the idea of flaked coconut and created a new recipe using what I had in the kitchen.

This recipe is really good, and you can always add things to it. It is pretty salty, so feel free to use less salt. Also, if you want a more authentic “fishy” taste, you could add torn nori or kelp granules. To make it more attractive, I like to sprinkle smoked paprika on top.

So here you go!

Chickpea Salad with Coconut
(Makes enough for two sandwich fillings)

1 (14.5 oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1/4 cup flaked, unsweetened coconut
1/8 cup vegan mayo
1-2 chopped scallions, sliced thinly (green and white parts)
1 tsp apple cider or white vinegar, or lemon juice
1/2 tsp salt
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
1 tsp dried dill
1/4 tsp red pepper flakes (adjust according to taste).

Place chickpeas in a bowl and mash with a potato masher until chunky. A few whole chickpeas is ok, and adds to the texture. If you want to use your food processor, pulse them a few times. If you end up pureeing them the texture will be more hummus like.

Mix in the rest of the ingredients, adjusting the seasonings to taste. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors come together.

Use on crackers, sandwiches, or on top of greens.

Enjoy! And let me know what you think if you make it!