Curry Chickpea Pasta Salad

4 to 6 Servings

Preparation Time: 20 min
Cooking Time: 10 min

Inspired by the South African favourite, often called curry noodle salad, this pasta salad is made with one of the easiest dressings you’ll ever make – yogurt simply stirred with fragrant curry, garlic and lime – and has such vibrant flavours you’ll find yourself making it over and over again. The chickpeas and vegetables, along with the whole wheat pasta make it hearty enough for lunch or even dinner.

Ingredients

10 oz whole wheat fusilli, small shells or other small pasta 300 g
1 Tbsp olive oil 15 mL
large clove garlic, minced
1 to 1 1/2 tsp curry powder 5 to 7 mL
1/2 tsp salt 2 mL
1/4 tsp pepper 1 mL
1 1/2 cup plain yogurt 375 mL
1 tsp grated zest of 1 lime 5 mL
2 Tbsp freshly squeezed lime juice, divided 30 mL
1 1/2 cup drained rinsed cooked or canned chickpeas 375 mL
apple, chopped
small sweet red pepper, chopped
1/4 English cucumber, chopped 1/4
1/4 cup raisins 60 mL
This salad is delicious when served right away, but also improves upon sitting. If making a day ahead, the dressing will soak into the pasta so you may want to add more yogurt and lime juice to moisten just before serving.

Instructions

Step 1
In a large pot of boiling water, cook pasta for about 8 minutes or according to package directions, until tender but firm. Drain and rinse under cold water. Drain well.

Step 2
In a small skillet or saucepan, heat oil over medium-low heat; sauté garlic for 1 minute or until softened and fragrant. Stir in curry powder; remove from heat and let cool.

Step 3
In a large bowl, whisk together salt, pepper, yogurt, lime zest and 1 tbsp (15 mL) of the lime juice. Scrape curry mixture into bowl and whisk to combine.

Step 4
Add pasta, chickpeas, apple, red pepper, cucumber and raisins to yogurt mixture and toss gently to coat. Taste and add more lime juice, as desired. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate for up to 1 day.

Tips

For a mild curry taste, use 1 tsp (5 mL) mild curry powder and for a bolder version, use 1-1/2 tsp (7 mL) mild or medium curry powder. If you are using a hot curry powder, start with 3/4 tsp (3 mL), then taste the dressing and add more as desired, keeping in mind the curry will get stronger as the salad sits.
 
If cooking dried chickpeas, you’ll need to soak and cook about 3/4 cup (175 mL) dried chickpeas; do not add any salt. If you’re buying canned chickpeas, you’ll need a 14 oz (400 mL) can or about three-quarters of a 19 oz (540 mL) can. Look for those with no salt added or as low in sodium as possible. Drain the liquid from the chickpeas and rinse well under cold, running water, then drain the well. 

Nutrition & Notes

Nutrition Information
Valeur nutritive
Per Serving
% Daily Value
% valeur quotidienne
Amount
Teneur
Calories / Calories 347
Fat / Lipides 6 g
Saturated / saturés
+ Trans / trans
Cholesterol / Cholestérol
Sodium / Sodium 206 mg
Carbohydrates / Glucides 64 g
Fiber / Fibres 9.4 g
Sugars / Sucres
Protein Protéines 14 g
Vitamin A / Vitamine A
51 %
Vitamin C / Vitamine C
14 %
Calcium / Calcium
Iron / Fer