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Tuesday, December 30, 2008

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.      

13 comments:

  1. Mmm-I can never find bars with carob chips. I'll look for the Pure brand.

    Hate cilantro? That is a crime!

    Love Gonzo - he is on my favorite underwear from Urban Outfitters. I also own a Kermit pair :)

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  2. From Garbanzo to Gonzo? :) Cute!! :)

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  3. haha love the comparison, actually my brother's name is Gonzalo and I call him Gonzo hihi!

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  4. Hey-I passed up the candy cane lane tea today at the store thinking it would be weird. Is it worth a trip to the store just to get it? :) What does it taste like??

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  5. I used to LOVE the muppets and yes gonzo was my favorite =)

    Great salad recipe, chickpeas make everything better.

    I saw those pure bars a while back and now I need to buy some!

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  6. I love chickpeas so much... I eat disturbing quantities every day. This sounds like another great excuse to add some more in!

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  7. Ow- this dish sounds like heaven to me! Great creation! I bet it disappeared fast!

    Hope your head is feeling better! Have a happy new year!

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  8. i haven't been to disney before, but it looks like so much fun. i've seen the food network shows where they talk about the amazing food. uhhh to die for!! i just love how you are going on vacation no matter what. it's like "honey, i'm leaving for disney tomorrow. if you want to come, come. if not, i'll be back in a week."

    chickpeas are so darn good. i usually eat them in the form of hummus, but your salad looks bangin. i'm one of those cilantro haters haha i don't think my mom used it ever so i never developed a taste for it.

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  9. Muppets 3D?! Awesome!
    I love muppets, we watch 'A Muppet Christmas Carol' every Christmas Eve as one of our traditions >:o)
    Happy New Year!

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  10. ....I just had to type 'GoatWar' as my word verification! That's not very friendly! Heehee!

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  11. I love Gonzo! He's cool! Happy New Year to you!

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  12. Heather, I know...apparently there is a chemical reason that some people hate cilantro. Poor them :(

    Juliet, I love the candy cane lane tea. I think tea is really a matter of taste though. Its green tea, and its mint tea, which are my two favorites. It is the only tea that I don't want to put sugar in.

    I hope you all had a great New Year's Eve and New Year's Day! Thanks for stopping by, everyone, and especially commenting. I know I've only been at this for a few months, but it has been so much fun getting to know people through their writing and pictures.

    Oh, and Becks....goatwar?? Totally unfriendly! I do get such a kick out of funny word verifications though...more than one should, probably, haha.

    Shelby,

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