Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

Whenever I think of chickpeas, I consider their more sophisticated moniker, garbanzo beans.  This never fails to make me think of Gonzo from The Muppets.  Is anyone else a Muppets fan?  My most favorite "attraction" at MGM in Disney World is Muppets 3D.  Hm...now I really want to go to Disney (I've been many many times).  My husband and I are hoping to go when he gets back...we have enough credit card points for a week long hotel stay, so we're going somewhere.  

Moving on to today's specialty, which does showcase the delightful garbanzo bean.

Mediterranean Chickpea Salad

I think the name says it all for this one.  Its bright and shiny, and bursting with freshness and flavor.  I brought it to my friend's for dinner last night, and I kind of wish I had gotten to eat more of it.  I meant to put parsley in it but I bought cilantro on accident.  Since I was making it for others, I went light on it, since I know some people really hate cilantro, but my dad said it needed more (he wanted a bowl before I left, he was oggling as I was making it).  As I've mentioned before though, my dad likes really strong flavors.  

Recipe?  Yes.  

2 cans of garbanzo beans drained and rinsed

1 cup oil packed sun dried tomato, drained, rinsed, and sliced

2 medium tomatoes, seeded and diced

3 cloves garlic, minced

1 red onion (small-ish?), chopped

2 tbsp chopped fresh cilantro

1/4 cup olive oil

1/4 cup lemon juice

salt and pepper to taste

2 tsp agave nectar

1.  Put the chickpeas through cilantro in an appropriately sized bowl.  

2.  Whisk the olive oil through agave nectar until well combined.  

3.  Pour dressing over chickpeas and toss until everything is coated. 

4.  Cover, and refrigerate for as long as possible (at least 3 hours probably).

Serves 8.

Nutrition Information:  217.9 Calories;  8.2g Total Fat;  1.1g Saturated Fat;  0.0mg Cholesterol;  31.5g Carbohydrates;  5.9g Fiber;  6.5g Protein

Really do let it chill as long as you can.  We probably had it refrigerated for about 5 hours and the acid in the lemon juice makes the chickpeas deliciously creamy, which is a really nice contrast to the crunchy raw onion.  

Switching gears to quickly wrap things up, I mentioned a few weeks ago that I bought some Pure bars.  I gave my review on the Cashew Cherry, but I also bought the Trail Mix...

...and it was also really good.  I have to say that the Cashew Cherry was probably my favorite, but this was a good one too, especially with the sprinkling of carob chips in it!    

I've kind of had a headache all day, and I know its because I haven't been eating very well.  Between all the family get-togethers, going out for the day with the fam, etc., I've sort of fallen off track.  Not that I've been eating badly, just that I am aware I haven't been eating enough, or drinking enough water.  I have been keeping up with the gym, which is good, I hate breaking that habit more than anything, but at the same time, keeping myself fueled and hydrated kind of goes right along with that.  Here's to tomorrow, I'm hoping to get three good meals and three good snacks (I eat quite a lot), and at least 3 liters of water.