Tahini Chickpea Cucumber Salad
Prep Time:
10 minutes
Total Time:
10 minutes
Yield:
4-6 servings
We talk a lot about antioxidants and healthy fats as being crucial for skin health, but there’s another nutrient that’s a bit of an unsung hero when it comes to beauty: protein. In fact, it might just be the most important nutrient for fighting signs of aging like collagen loss and reduced elasticity. Protein contains L-lysine and L-proline, both of which promote collagen production.
Keep in mind, though, that animal protein is considered “complete” because it contains all amino acids; if you don’t eat meat, you’ll need to eat a wide variety of plant-based proteins to get all the amino acids you need throughout the day. This Tahini Chickpea Cucumber Salad has a complete amino acid profile because it combines a legume (chickpeas) with a seed (tahini, which is made from sesame seeds).
ingredients
- 2 (15-ounce) cans chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 small cucumber, seeded, quartered lengthwise and sliced
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh mint, parsley leaves, or a combination of the two
- 1/4 cup tahini
- Juice from 2 lemons
- 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon water (if needed)
- Salt and pepper, to taste
