Description
These Chickpea Salad Melts are a flavorful and hearty vegetarian twist on the classic tuna melt, perfect for a satisfying lunch or a quick dinner. Made with mashed chickpeas and a creamy, tangy salad mixture, sandwiched between toasted bread and melted sharp cheddar, these melts are easy to prepare and deliciously comforting.
Ingredients
Chickpea Salad
- 1 (15 oz) can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 1/2 cup diced celery
- 1/2 cup diced pickles
- 1/3 cup diced red onion
- 1-2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill
- Small squeeze of fresh lemon juice (optional)
- 2 teaspoons dijon mustard
- 1/4 cup mayonnaise, vegan or regular
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Melt Assembly
- 8 slices preferred bread (e.g., whole wheat sandwich bread)
- 8 slices preferred cheese (e.g., sharp cheddar)
- Butter or cooking spray, for cooking
Instructions
- Prepare the Chickpea Salad: In a medium bowl, add the rinsed and drained chickpeas. Use a fork to mash most of the chickpeas, leaving a few whole for texture. Then stir in diced celery, pickles, red onion, fresh dill, lemon juice, dijon mustard, and mayonnaise until fully combined. Season the mixture with salt and black pepper to taste.
- Assemble the Melts: Heat a large pan over medium-low heat. Butter one side of a slice of bread and place it butter side down on a cutting board. Layer slices of cheese on top, then spoon a few generous dollops of chickpea salad over the cheese. Place another slice of bread on top and gently butter the top slice of bread.
- Cook the Melts: Transfer the assembled melts to the heated pan, placing them cheese side down for faster melting. Optionally, cover the pan with a lid to help the cheese melt evenly. Cook each side for 3 to 5 minutes until the bread is golden brown and the cheese is melted.
- Serve: Remove the melts from the pan and let them cool for a minute or two. Slice them in half and serve warm. These melts pair wonderfully with chips, fries, veggies, or a fresh salad.
Notes
- You can use vegan mayonnaise and cheese to make this recipe completely vegan-friendly.
- Adjust the amount of mayonnaise to reach your preferred creaminess in the chickpea salad.
- Butter the bread lightly to prevent it from getting soggy and to achieve a golden crust.
- Covering the pan during cooking helps the cheese melt faster and more evenly.
- Try adding a dash of hot sauce or smoked paprika for an extra flavor kick.
