Chickpea salads are a personal favorite and I’m loving the one at Leon’s Full Service. Who knew mixing it with hominy would make such a satisfying dish?
Paula Branam, Decatur
Jeff Sellers, executive chef for Leon’s Full Service in Decatur, created this recipe when it was time to make a change from the Warm Chickpea Salad that had been on the restaurant’s menu from day one.
This salad with its intriguing combination of flavors could serve as a side dish but would also make a vegetarian main dish since chickpeas are so high in protein. The bright herbal punch from the Tomatillo Chimichurri keeps diners coming back for one more bite.
Peppadew peppers are sometimes available in the pickle aisle at your local grocery store. Sellers says you can substitute small slices of orange bell pepper as shown in the photo.
Leon’s Full Service’s Warm Hominy and Feta Salad
Note: For nutritional calculations, the salt included is defined as 1/16 teaspoon.
Tomatillo Chimichurri
Leftover chimichurri can be used to dress other grain salads, hot rice or roasted vegetables. At Leon’s Full Service, it’s often used to sauce tacos, or as a marinade for steak, pork, chicken or tofu.
The restaurant chars the tomatillos and jalapenos on their grill. Sellers adapted this recipe for home cooks to char the vegetables in the oven.
From the menu of . . . Leon’s Full Service, 131 E. Ponce de Leon Ave., Decatur. 404-687-0500, leonsfullservice.com.
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