Greek Chickpea Salad

Delicious all on its own, atop a slice of toasted fresh bread, or served with pita slices to share, this Greek Chickpea Salad is such an easy, fresh, springtime meal, snack, or party contribution.  It also works wonderfully as a meal prep option to have on hand in the fridge throughout the week.

This recipe could very easily be made vegan if the feta was replaced with a vegan cheese.

If you’re feeding a larger group, it’s simple to double the quantity.

Finally, it’s super versatile if you prefer to add more or less of any of the ingredients!

Servings: Approx. 5

Ingredients:

  • 3 Tbsp Finely Chopped Fresh Dill 
  • 1 Tbsp Finely Chopped Fresh Rosemary
  • 1 Finely Chopped Cucumber
  • 21 Sliced Kalamata Olives
  • 2 Tbsp Fresh Lemon Juice
  • 3 Cups Prepared/Canned Chickpeas
  • 2 Tbsp Extra Virgin Olive Oil 
  • 1/2 Cup + 2 Tbsp Feta Cheese Crumbles
  • 2 Chopped Medium Tomatoes
  • Sea Salt, To Taste
  • Black Pepper, To Taste
  • Red Pepper Flakes, To Taste

Directions:

Chop the fresh herbs, cucumber, tomato, and olives, and set aside

Squeeze the lemon juice and set aside

Drain, rinse, and dry the chickpeas

Optional – Peel the chickpeas (This is not required, but I find them to be more enjoyable this way!  After the rinsing process, you will see the outer layer beginning to peel off of them naturally.  They will pop out of their casings easily.)

Place the chickpeas in a large bowl

Add in the olive oil, cucumber, lemon juice, and herbs, and stir

Add in a small amount of salt, pepper, and red pepper, and stir again (You can add more later if needed.)

Next, mix in the feta, tomatoes, and olives

Add additional salt, pepper, and/or red pepper to taste

Serve, and enjoy!

[Leftovers can be stored in an airtight container in the fridge.]


Love these types of flavors?  Check out my Easy Greek Pasta Salad too!

Peanut Butter Blueberry Banana Smoothie

If you’re a fan of smoothies with a milkshake-like consistency, this Peanut Butter Blueberry Banana Smoothie is for you!  It’s ridiculously thick, has no added sugar, and is made with just 4 basic ingredients!

Whether you’re enjoying it for breakfast at home or on the go, as post-workout fuel, or as a mid-afternoon snack, this smoothie is super satisfying and refreshing! It’s packed with protein, several servings of colorful fruit, fiber, and more. The greek yogurt and peanut butter make it super creamy. You’ll love it on a warm spring or summer day!

My personal favorite methods to freeze these fruits:

  • Bananas: Peel and dice them while they’re fresh and on the riper side, then store them in an airtight container in the freezer
  • Blueberries: Wash them while they’re fresh, dry them off, then store them in an airtight container in the freezer

Small glass food storage containers are my preference over ziplock bags as they’re more eco-friendly!

You can visit my Amazon Storefront to check out my favorite small sizes under Eco-Friendly Essentials: www.amazon.com/shop/bakeandbewell

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Servings: 1

Ingredients:

  • 2 Small Frozen Bananas
  • Approx. 2 Cups Frozen Blueberries
  • 1/2 Cup Plain Nonfat Greek Yogurt
  • 1/2 Cup Cold Water
  • 3 Tablespoons Peanut Butter

Directions:

Blend together all of the ingredients except the peanut butter in your blender of choice

Add in the peanut butter and blend again

Enjoy! 


Did you love this Peanut Butter Blueberry Banana Smoothie? Check these out!

Banana Cherry Smoothie

Strawberry Banana Peanut Butter Smoothie

Banana Peach Sunbutter Smoothie

Fruit & Chocolate Ice Cream Smoothie

Protein “PB & J” Smoothie

Berries & Cream Smoothie

Berry Chocolate Protein Smoothie

Healthy Sherbet Smoothie

Berry & Peach Sunbutter Smoothie

Banana Peach Sunbutter Smoothie

Reminiscent of a classic banana and peanut butter combo, this Banana Peach Sunbutter Smoothie is thick and creamy like a milkshake!  The addition of the peaches gives it a bit of extra sweetness and bulk but does not compromise the flavor at all.  The sweetness of the fruit balances perfectly with the “nutty” flavor of the Sunbutter in this super filling, nutrient-dense, quick and easy meal.

Servings: 1

Ingredients:

2 Frozen Bananas

1/3 Cup Plain Greek Yogurt (I used nonfat)

4 Tablespoons Sunbutter

2/3 Cup Cold Water

1 Serving Frozen Peaches (approx. 1 cup)

Optional: Honey or sweetener of choice if added sweetness is desired

Directions:

Add the bananas, yogurt, Sunbutter, and water into a blender and blend until smooth

Add in the peaches and blend again until smooth and evenly combined

Taste test, and if you prefer additional sweetness add honey/sweetener to taste and reblend (I personally prefer it less sweet and think it tastes delish as is.)

Serve and enjoy!

Ingredient recommendations linked!

Easy Greek Pasta Salad

Meal prep doesn’t get easier than this Easy Greek Pasta Salad!  Perfect for use as a ready-made side dish or main meal, this recipe takes only minutes to prepare and can last you all week long!  The real best part is how customizable it is:  If you have alternate vegetables you’d prefer to substitute, use them!  If you want a bit more protein, add meat!  If you enjoy extra cheese, add more feta.  There are endless variations!

If experimenting in the kitchen isn’t your thing, fear not.  I promise this particular ingredient combo will be a crowd-pleaser at your next summer cookout, potluck, or family dinner.  No occasion?  No problem!  I love having this dish on hand for pre-made meals to go.  It’s the perfect work lunch.

It’s packed with tons of colorful veggies for a nutrition bonus, and depending on the serving size the batch can stretch a long way! 

Servings: 5 – 6 medium/large (or around 10 very small sides)

Ingredients:

Directions: 

Cook the pasta according to the package instructions and then set aside to cool off

Chop up the tomatoes, peppers, and cucumber into bite-sized pieces

Using a very large bowl, coat the cooled pasta in half of the greek dressing (Cooled cooking pots or baking dishes work well too.  Choose whatever you have on hand.)

Add the chopped veggies to the bowl

Then add the black olives and feta to the bowl as well

Add the remaining dressing and toss until all is evenly mixed

Add sea salt and black pepper to taste

Garnish with fresh parsley

Enjoy!

[Leftovers can easily be stored sealed/covered in the refrigerator.]

Ingredient recommendations linked!


Love Greek flavors? Try my Greek Chickpea Salad!

3 Ingredient Cheesy Omelette

This 3 ingredient cheesy omelette is fluffy, filling, and super versatile!  Add it onto your favorite toast, serve with veggies, or even enjoy plain if you like.  It only takes 5 minutes to make!

Servings: 1

Ingredients:

2 Eggs

Lots of Black Pepper

1 Slice Mozzarella Cheese

Directions: 

Warm up a small pan on medium heat

Scramble the eggs in a bowl

Scramble in lots of black pepper

Tear up a slice of mozzarella cheese into small pieces and evenly mix the pieces in

Once the pan is hot pour your mixture in and cook evenly on each side

Enjoy!

[If you don’t use nonstick cookware, use your preferred method to lightly grease your pan!]

Ingredient recommendations linked!

Peanut Butter Banana Blueberry Smoothie

This fruity peanut butter combination is perfect on a hot summer day as a snack, light meal, or post-workout recovery treat!  It’s nice and creamy as well as high in protein, fiber, and lots of colorful fruit.  Nutritious and delicious!

Servings: 1

Ingredients:

A Couple Of Frozen Bananas

4 Tbsp Betty Lou’s Inc. Powdered Peanut Butter

1/3 Cup Whole Milk Plain Greek Yogurt

2/3 Cup Water

A Pinch Of Saigon Cinnamon

1/3 Cup Frozen Blueberries

Directions:

Blend all of the ingredients other than the blueberries together in a blender

Once smooth, blend in the blueberries as well

Enjoy!

Ingredient recommendations linked!

Easy Vegan Fruit & Seed Smoothie

This 4-ingredient snack couldn’t be easier to make!  Keeping a stash of a variety of frozen fruit in the freezer is so helpful when creating smoothies on a whim.  I love combining handfuls of it with some sunflower seed butter and water which beautifully blends into a sweet, creamy, and refreshing snack that just so happens to be vegan and gluten free!

This is a snack-size portion, but if you were looking for more of a meal you could easily double the measurements.  I love drinking this as a side with a sandwich at lunch, or as a mid-afternoon bite.  It’s one of my favorite ways to add a couple extra servings of fruit into my day!

Servings: 1

Ingredients:

1 Large Frozen Banana (sliced before freezing to ease blending)

12 Frozen Dark Cherries

2 Large Frozen Strawberries

2 Tbsp Sunbutter

2/3 Cup Water

Directions:

Blend and enjoy!

Ingredient recommendations linked!

Ratatouille-Italiana

Ratatouille Italiana

An Italian twist on the French classic, this dish is extremely versatile. It can be enjoyed on its own, over pasta, as a side, however you like! Plus it’s vegan, dairy free, and gluten free.

We personally loved it over pasta with sausage.

Ingredients:

1 white onion

4 cloves garlic

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

2 eggplants

3 medium zucchini

1 jar Mezzetta Artisan Ingredients Italian Plum Tomato Marinara

1/2 cup chopped fresh parsley

cayenne pepper

black pepper

sea salt

Directions:

Dice the onion

Finally chop the garlic or use a garlic press

Peel & chop the eggplant into small cubes

Chop the zucchini into small cubes

Add the onion, garlic, and first 2 tablespoons of olive oil into a pan and sauté over medium heat until the onions are translucent

Add in the eggplant and the third tablespoon of olive oil, then continue cooking until eggplant is soft

Add in the zucchini

Once the zucchini is thoroughly cooked as well, turn down your heat to low and stir in the marinara

Stir in the parsley as well as small dashes of cayenne pepper and black pepper, plus a pinch of sea salt to taste

Enjoy!

Nut-Free Pesto

If you have nut allergies like me, you’ll know how difficult it can be to find a pesto that is nut-free. This homemade Nut-Free Pesto is so delicious that nobody will miss the pine nuts!


I personally recommend serving this pesto over your pasta of choice, with the addition of your favorite traditional, chicken, or vegetarian sausages. (We personally love this mushroom chicken sausage!) You can also add in some sautéed or roasted vegetables such as mushrooms, broccoli, or zucchini.


Vegan? No problem! Simply substitute the parmesan with a vegan alternative!

Other uses for pesto?

  • Add it to homemade pizzas
  • Drizzle it over eggs and toast
  • Spread a layer of it onto lunchtime sandwiches
  • Combine it with salad dressing
  • Toss roasted veggies in it
  • Drizzle it over baked potatoes
  • Make homemade bruschetta with pesto and mozzarella
  • Add it to lasagna
  • Make pesto salmon

Ingredients:

  • 3 Cups Fresh Basil Leaves (packed)
  • 4 Cloves Garlic
  • 1 Cup Extra Virgin Olive Oil
  • 3/4 Cup Finely Grated Parmesan Cheese
  • Sea Salt and Black Pepper To Taste

Directions:

Wash and prep the basil leaves

Peel the garlic

Blend the basil leaves and garlic cloves in a food processor, then add in the oil to make it easier to blend until all of the oil has been added

Once smooth, pour the mixture into a bowl and stir in the cheese

Add sea salt and black pepper to taste

Enjoy!

[Leftover pesto can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator. Just give it a stir to remix the oil!]


Want more easy pasta dinners? Try my Egg & Sausage Carbonara or Roasted Brussels Sprout Pasta!

Tomato Basil Asparagus Pasta

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Being part Italian, I cannot stress my love of pasta enough!

There are so many ways to dress it up, make it healthy, and keep it simple.

Here’s one of my favorite quick dinners.  I went with Ancient Harvest Gluten-Free Supergrain Pasta (though of course you should use your personal favorite pasta!)

This recipe makes 1 large serving.

Ingredients:

5-6 large asparagus stalks

1 tablespoon olive oil

2 servings of your favorite pasta

1 cup tomato basil pasta sauce

black pepper & cayenne pepper to taste

optional topping – a sprinkle of parmesan cheese

Directions:

Preheat the oven to 425 degrees

Cut off the ends of the asparagus, then place the stalks into a gallon-sized plastic bag

Pour the olive oil into the bag and make sure it covers all of the asparagus

Place the asparagus on a baking sheets and cook in the oven for about 12-14 minutes

Cook and drain the pasta, then mix in the pasta sauce to keep it from sticking

Remove the asparagus from the oven, chop into small pieces, and mix that into the pasta

Add black pepper and cayenne pepper to taste, and then sprinkle on some parmesan if you wish!