I absolute love recipes like this one – the ones that sound simple on paper, are super quick and simple to prepare (just throw everything into a bowl in this one), and yet have so much flavor. Like I always say, healthy food is great and all, but if it doesn’t taste great, I don’t want it. Thanks to the simple ingredients, warm Moroccan spices, and balance of colors, flavors, and textures, this dish is easy to make and so easy to love.

I will say, one of the things I appreciate about living in America, especially New York, is being able to experience and explore the many cultures of the world through food. If you ask me, American food is really is the food of all the inhabitants from all different nations of the world. Moroccan food is definitely not as mainstream in America as it deserves to be, and there are definitely far less Moroccan restaurants around me than Mexican and Italian spots, but that’s exactly why I love cooking. Making your own food at home grants you the ability to explore new flavors, techniques, and ingredients (if you’re able to get your hands on them) from around the world.

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Is this an authentic Moroccan recipe? Probably not. And that’s okay. But by combining some of my favorite wholesome and nutritious ingredients with the warming spices (ginger, cumin, coriander, and turmeric) and powerful flavors (bright, herbaceous, and citrusy) typical of Moroccan cuisine, this salad makes for a pleasant dish, authentic or not.

What do I love about this dish?

It’s super nutritious of course!

Chickpeas and other legumes are great plant-based proteins to add to your diet. Unlike animal proteins, they are loaded with fiber and are naturally free of saturated fat. Including more beans and legumes in your diet can help manage blood sugar, aid in digestion, promote healthy cholesterol levels, and may contribute to protection against chronic disease.

Carrots are loaded with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants. Carrots, and most other orange foods are rich in carotenoids, mainly beta-carotene, which are potent antioxidants. Our bodies also convert beta-carotene to vitamin A, an important vitamin that promotes healthy vision and immune health.

Using herbs, spices, and citrus is probably my favorite way to cut down on the sodium content in a recipe. They add a ton of flavor, and so you do not to add a bunch of salt to achieve a great-tasting dish. Believe it or not, spices (especially turmeric) offer more than just flavor – they are also packed with health-promoting antioxidants!

So, let your taste buds take you on an exotic journey to better health with this quick, easy, absolutely flavorful carrot chickpea salad.