Pecan Apple Chickpea Salad Wraps

INGREDIENTS:

• 1 15-ounce can chickpeas, rinsed and drained
• 1 medium apple, diced
• 1 broccoli crown, very finely chopped
• ¾ cup shredded carrots
• 1/3 cup coarsely chopped pecans
• ¼ cup dried tart cherries
• 1 stalk celery, diced
• 2 tablespoons flat-leaf parsley
• ¼ cup chopped green onions

For the dressing:

• 6 tablespoons tahini
• 4 teaspoons maple syrup or honey
• 2 teaspoons Dijon mustard                    
• 2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar               
• ½ teaspoon garlic powder                   
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• 4-5 tablespoons warm water to thin dressing

For the wraps:

• 4 large (10 inch) spinach tortillas
• 4 cups raw spinach

DIRECTIONS
1.    Add rinsed and drained chickpeas to a large bowl.  Use a masher or fork to mash the chickpeas.
2.    Add apples, broccoli, carrots, pecans, tart cherries, celery, parsley, and green onions.
3.    In a separate bowl, make the dressing. Add tahini, maple syrup, Dijon, apple cider vinegar, garlic powder, salt, pepper.  Mix to combine until a creamy dressing forms.  Add water if necessary.
4.    Add dressing to the chickpea salad. Stir to combine and coat all the ingredients with the dressing. Taste and add more black pepper as needed.
5.    Lay out spinach wraps and top each with about 1 cup of spinach. Spoon ¼ of the chickpea salad mixture onto each wrap.  Tightly roll up the wrap, tucking in the ends as you go. Secure tightly with a toothpick. 
6.    You can also eat the salad without the wrap. Store it in the fridge for up to 5 days.

VARIATIONS AND TIPS
•    Instead of pecans, you can use walnuts or sunflower seeds. Or even try mixing several types of nuts and seeds!
•    Feel free to use whatever dried fruit you prefer – dried cranberries or raisins would be delicious!
•    Instead of the spinach tortilla, you could serve it in a whole wheat pita pocket, on whole grain toast, or on romaine or swiss chard as a lettuce wrap.

NUTRITION FACTS
YIELD: 8 servings (1 serving = ½ wrap)

Calories: 354 per serving, Carbohydrates: 51g, Fiber: 9.2g, Sugar: 12.8g (5.1g added sugar),           Protein: 12g, Fat: 13g, Saturated fat: 2g, Cholesterol: 0mg, Sodium: 531mg

*Nutrition facts will change as variations and substitutions are included. Above nutrition facts are based on including pecans, cherries, and maple syrup.

SOURCE: adapted from Ambitiouskitchen.com