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Monday, June 28, 2010

Cool Quinoa and Chickpea Salad

Well we're having a hot streak with the temps around here. The kitties are laying flat on the linoleum under the A/C vent and the fiance is sitting under his A/C vent at his place. Everyone is trying to stay cool.

When it gets warm like this may favorite thing to eat (besides a DQ Heath Bar Blizzard) is a salad with tomatoes, a bit of red onion and garlic with just a splash of olive oil and red wine vinegar. Of course the tomatoes have to be really good. Now this is a really good jumping off point for a couple of different things, Spanish Gazpacho, Italian Panzanella (bread salad) if ya have some really good day old bread. But I'm trying to reduce the carbs a bit and I could eat a whole loaf of bread. I'm needing to increase my protein intake a bit as well, so voila, quinoa and chick peas. let me tell ya, it was so good, I almost licked the bowl. For the record, this would be really good as a substantial side for grilled chicken or salmon.

Quinoa and Chickpea Salad

1 1/2 cup cooked quinoa
1 14 oz can chickpeas drained and rinsed
2 cloves garlic minced or put though a garlic press
2 medium tomatoes, chopped
1/2 medium red onion, sliced thinly
1/2 medium avocado, diced small
1/4 cup chopped flat leaf parsley
a couple good grinds of black pepper and a good sprinkle of kosher or sea salt.
1 tbsp olive oil
2 tbsp red wine vinegar or to taste

I like to mix the garlic and olive oil with the chick peas and letting them sit for a few minutes then put everything into a large bowl, sprinkle with the vinegar and mix well.

I personally think this is best after it's sat at room temperature for a bit, i don't want my tomatoes cold so I get the full flavor of them. Also I think this would be very easy to change up, add cucumbers, olives, feta and some fresh oregano and it would become Greek inspired. My moth is watering just thinking about it.

Easy peasy and delish!

2 comments:

  1. Sounds delish! I just happen to have some leftover quinoa from last night. This is the perfect solution for a no do-over meal :)
    Thanks Feli! ~n

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  2. Looks great! I'd have to resist the temptation to add some good Spanish Chorizo - with all of the Latin/Mediterranean flavors - but I'll have to try this sometime.

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