Mena Massoud Reveals Healthy Vegan 'Chickpea Salad' Recipe

Aladdin‘s Mena Massoud doesn’t describe himself as vegan or vegetarian but rather plant-based. He gets into why in his upcoming cookbook, Evolving Vegan, out September 15th.

“It’s not about labels, or eating habits or any of that crap,” the 28-year-old actor has said. “It’s about evolving in the right direction so that we can help save our planet, our bodies and our fellow living souls.”

Last year, Mena invested in the San Diego-based vegan restaurant Plant Power Fast Food. The fast-food chain serves vegan versions of popular American fast food menu items such as the “Big Zac”, obviously a play off of the McDonald’s Big Mac.

You can preorder Mena‘s cookbook through Amazon.com! In the meantime, Mena shared his favorite chickpea salad recipe with Just Jared readers. Check it out:

Click inside for Chipotle’s signature guac…

Mena Massoud’s “Chickpea Salad” Recipe

Serves 2 to 4
Degree of Difficulty: 1
Time to Prepare: 15 minutes
Cooking Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

INGREDIENTS
2 cups – Chickpeas, washed and strained
1 whole – Heirloom Tomato, diced
1 whole – Medium Persian Cucumber, sliced and halved
½ whole – Large Avocado, diced
1 whole – Green Onion or Scallion, sliced.
2 tbsp – Kalamata Olives, fresh and halved
1 tbsp – Lime Juice, freshly squeezed
1 tbsp – Dill, fresh
½ tbsp – Cumin
½ tbsp – Sea Salt
1 tsp – Coriander
Optional: Feta ‘cheese’

INSTRUCTIONS
Step 1: Rinse and strain chickpeas and add to a large bowl.
Step 2: Add all ingredients to the same bowl, with spices and mix well.
Step 3: Crumble and add feta ‘cheese’ and garnish with scallions.

TIPS:
If you’re using sprouted chickpeas, I recommend adding a little bit of apple cider vinegar to cut that earthy flavor sprouted legumes have.

ALTERNATIVE PROTEIN SUBSTITUTES:
Lentils
Kidney Beans
Black Eyed Peas

Preorder Mena‘s cookbook through Amazon.com! And ICYMI, check out the other famous recipes that people have been cooking while staying at home!