Chef Cheetie Kumar's Rose Harissa Chickpea Salad

Chef Cheetie Kumar's Rose Harissa Chickpea Salad

Chef Cheetie Kumar’s Rose Harissa Chickpea Salad is a masterclass in bold flavours and cross-cultural cooking. Anchored by chickpeas and a medley of fresh herbs and vegetables, the dish gets its signature complexity from Spicewalla’s Rose Harissa—a blend co-created by Chef Cheetie and Meherwan Irani, rooted in their shared Indian heritage and deep culinary friendship.

This warm chickpea salad hits all the right notes: smoky cumin, zesty lemon, floral rose, and just enough heat to keep things interesting. Harissa has its origins in North Africa, but this version—tempered with dried rose petals—offers a unique twist that’s both aromatic and fiery.

Whether you’re a spice lover, plant-forward eater, or fan of chef-driven recipes, this salad is a versatile standout. Serve it warm or room temp, with a crumbling of feta or on its own. However you plate it, this chickpea salad is more than a side—it’s a celebration of flavour, history, and collaboration.

  • Ingredients

    Vinaigrette 
    ½ cup lemon
    1 ½ tsp preserved lemon paste (mash with the back of a knife)
    1 ½ tsp Spicewalla Rose Harissa
    3 cranks black pepper
    1 ½  tsp sherry vinegar
    Salt
    ½ cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil

    Salad
    1 cup shaved fennel bulb
    1 cup scallions, both white and green, finely chopped
    2 TBSP jarred pepper such as piquillo, chopped 
    1 ½ cup grape tomatoes, halved
    Salt to taste



    Chickpeas
    3 TBSP EVOO
    ¼ cup cumin seeds
    1 clove garlic, sliced 
    ½ cup onion, diced
    ½ cup red bell pepper, diced
    ⅓ cup carrot, diced
    1 ½ tsp Spicewalla Rose Harissa 
    Salt
    1 ½ cup chickpeas- cooked from dry or canned, well drained (rinsed if canned)

    Finish
    3 TBSP mint, finely chopped
    ¼ cup parsley, finely chopped
    1 TBSP dill, finely chopped 
    1 tsp tarragon, finely chopped 
    Good quality sheep milk feta (optional)

  • Print

    Preparation

    Serves 6-8 people.

    1. Make the vinaigrette - combine all ingredients through salt, and whisk in olive oil.  Set aside
    2. In a big salad bowl, combine the fennel, scallions, jarred pepper, and grape tomatoes. Dress with ¼ cup of the vinaigrette and season with salt as needed.
    3. In a wide skillet, heat the olive oil and bloom the cumin seeds, quickly followed by the garlic. Swirl around and immediately add the onion, carrot and pepper.  Season with salt and reduce the heat. Saute for 2-3 minutes till just turning translucent.  We don’t want the vegetables to get too soft.  Sprinkle the rose harissa over the vegetables and combine.  Add the chickpeas and cook till warmed through.  Pour in ¼ cup of the vinaigrette.  
    4. Combine the warm chickpea mixture with the raw vegetables. 
    5. When ready to serve, add the finishing herbs, gently toss them together, and top with feta if using. Share with the people you love and enjoy! 

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