Hi, Katie

Maybe you had too much oil and not enough lemon juice. I find salt is important to add to just about everything. And did you let it chill in the fridge for a while...or set out on the counter to marinade? Also, if you're using canned beans, I would rinse them first.

Try this one:
http://salad.allrecipes.com/az/83653.asp

Sounds good altho you may want to try less than 1/4 cup oil...maybe just a few tablespoons would do:
http://salad.allrecipes.com/az/53059.asp

and another variation with a little vinegar. Warming the oil on stove is preferrable to microwave.
http://salad.allrecipes.com/az/89316.asp

One more. A little more complex but has good spices and herbs!
http://salad.allrecipes.com/az/75153.asp

Good luck!
Lori

Wild oats has a recipe search on their website. http://www.wildoats.com/u/home/
Lots of free recipes. Click on "recipe" when you get there. They also have free recipe workshops on how to cook at different locations. Have to do a search for your location. Whole foods also has similar cooking classes and free recipes on their website http://www.wholefoodsmarket.com/recipes/list_salad.html

I'm not sure if you are trying to make smooth hummus spread or a salad? Hard to tell without a picture. But chickpeas are also called "garbanzo" beans. So you can also call your salad a "garbanzo salad".

Make sure you use cold pressed extra virgin olive oil - not too much. Just a teaspoon to toss the salad. If you are using chickpeas from a can, then make sure you drain and rinse the chickpeas really good first. Don't put the chickpea juice in with the salad.

You can try doing a google for the image of chickpea salads here at http://images.google.com/images?hl=en&q=chickpea%20salad&sa=N&tab=wi
and then click on one of the images that looks like the salad you ate and then sometimes they have recipes on how to make them.

I also found this website that has chickpea salads with pictures of the finished recipe. http://www.recipezaar.com/r/ls=h/fid=4597/title=chickpeas