Mock Chicken Salad

I somehow managed to bribe Nick into doing my grocery shopping a couple week's back (mainly with a promise to make Swedish meatballs... that recipe is still to come).  I gave him a list of groceries as well as the meals I planned on making.  I should have known that he would have his doubts when I said I was making chicken salad, but never asked him to pick up chicken.  Thus we have the mock chicken salad.  No, it has no chicken, and it doesn't even have any mayonnaise for that matter, but I can promise you it is a delicious salad nonetheless!

What's the best part of a chicken salad sandwich?  If you're like me (and okay you probably aren't but just go with it), the best part is the Craisins.  Craisins make a chicken salad sandwich.  And celery doesn't hurt either.  Add some chickpeas and walnuts (or pecans - that's what I had and it was amazing), and you have plenty of protein - no chicken necessary.  Sage, Old Bay seasoning, and a splash of lime juice add to the miraculously complex flavorings in this humble mock chicken salad.  The recipe calls for both mayo liquid smoke, both of which I find horrendous, so I left out the liquid smoke and used Greek yogurt.  When I was done (in about 3 minute's time!!!), I had a lovely "mocken salad" as I was calling it.  My family groaned and moaned while I made it, but Mom said she'd like to try a half of my sandwich.  So did Kenzie.  Let's just say both of them ending up eating their halves and then making themselves another entire one!  Both chickpea haters were able to set aside their negative chickpea feelings and fully embrace the mock chicken salad.  So if they can do it, can't you give it a try? :)

Recipe:

mock chicken salad
adapted from Watching What I Eat
makes 4 servings

Ingredients:
2 cups chickpeas, drained and slightly smashed
1/3 cup Greek yogurt
1/3 cup finely diced celery
1/4 cup chopped walnuts or pecans, toasted
1 teaspoon dried crumbles sage
1/2 teaspoon Old Bay Seasoning
splash lime juice
few drops liquid smoke (optional)
dash smoked paprika
salt and pepper, to taste
tortillas or rolls for serving
veggies for serving (lettuce, tomatoes, avocado, cucumber, baby spinach, etc.)

Instructions:

1) Mix first 11 ingredients (chickpeas through salt and pepper) in a small bowl.

2) Scoop the mock chicken salad into a line down the middle of your tortilla or into a sliced roll, then layer the veggies of choice on top.  Fold tortilla and enjoy.