Simple Greek Garbanzo Salad

Friends drop by for lunch? Nothing in the fridge? I recently wanted to make something with garbanzos since I love them, love the protein and the gluten-free nature of a salad. This is a simple and quick salad you can whip up for friends or just for yourself. The feta cheese gives it a Greek edge, but I’m guessing that goat cheese or no cheese is just as good. The longer it sits around, the more the flavors mesh, so make enough to last a few days.

I tend to always have cans of beans in the cabinet, but if you have the time and want to soak your dried beans overnight, by all means go for it. Usually, I want something now rather than waiting overnight-I’m just that way.

Simple Greek Garbanzo Salad
1 can of garbanzos, rinsed thoroughly
2 Roma tomatoes, chopped
6 oz. feta cheese, crumbled
2 TBS fresh basil, chopped
Juice of one large lemon
1-2 Tbs olive oil
salt/pepper to taste

1. Add all ingredients to a large bowl and mix (except for 1 Tbs olive oil and salt/pepper).
2. Add one Tbs of olive oil first and taste. If you need more, add it. Depending on the size of the lemon, you may need to cut the acidity a little more.
3. Add salt/pepper to taste.
4. Done.

This is so simple, yet tastes so great. Simple dishes are sometimes the best in so many ways. I also like to separate it into small containers that I can eat whenever I’m hungry or grab it on the go. I even grabbed a container and brought it to my mom in the hospital when she was sick of hospital food. Worked like a charm!

Enjoy!

Orange Cauliflower and Sweet Potatoes

The beautiful flavors of sweet potato and cauliflower come together easily in this quick and easy dish. With very few ingredients and a cinch to make, this is a wonderful side dish or entree. Since it was raining all day, I wanted something comforting and warm but not too filling. I went through the fridge and came up with 1/2 a head of cauliflower and saw the oranges. Viola!

The flavors of the orange zest and juice give this dish a lovely fresh aroma and flavor. The yams add a lovely sweetness and the texture of the cauliflower is wonderful in this dish. And don’t forget how beautiful the colors are, making it even more appetizing.

Orange Cauliflower and Sweet Potatoes
1/2 head of cauliflower, broken into florets
1 large sweet potato, chopped
1/4 cup orange juice
zest from one orange
salt
pinch of nutmeg

1. Add cauliflower and potatoes into a pot with a 1/4 cup water. Let them simmer for a few minutes until tender.
2. Add all other ingredients, mix and let simmer until desired tenderness. I like my cauliflower tender so I tend to cook it a little longer.

It’s that easy. If I had any onions, I would have added them as well as a little broccoli. Switch things up and try new veggies. The orange zest gives the kitchen a lovely aroma.

Enjoy!