Last week's lemon sauce turned into a refreshing vinaigrette for this chopped veggie salad.
I know it sounds strange using lemon sauce to make a dressing for salads, but the sauce is simply a mixture of Meyer lemons, water, honey, and cornstarch. It's lightly sweetened, so it makes a tangy addition to vinaigrettes, marinades and glazes.
I've fast become a fan of chopped salads for their crunchy satisfaction, and nice change from leafy greens.
I find the versatility of chopping whatever vegetables I have on hand, then dropping them into a bowl with a creamy vinaigrette and a crumble of cheese, very appealing.
Us weight watching folks are always looking for more fiber and protein, so creamy chickpeas are a welcome addition.
And as far as I'm concerned a chopped salad isn't complete with cheese, so low fat feta cheese is added to the bowl.
A chop of fresh oregano finishes my salad off with a peppery bite, though it was missing avocado. It would have added that last element of yumminess.
I love my hubby, but Mike and the grocery store don't get along well. Every time I send him off to pick up ingredients, I receive more than a few phone calls asking where items are. Most often he's missing items when he returns, and in this case, rock hard avocado.
You'd think I'd learn and go myself, but not me.
Anyway, this salad will last a second day in the frig, so make extra. The flavors meld beautifully when they sit for a bit.
Lemony Chickpea Salad with Zucchini, Tomatoes and Feta Cheese
- 3 cups chickpeas
- 2 cups zucchini, chopped
- 2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
- ½ cup red onion, minced
- ½ cup lemon sauce
- 1½ tablespoons fresh oregano, minced
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 1 cup low fat feta cheese, crumbled
- Combine chickpeas, zucchini, tomatoes and onion in a large bowl.
- In a jar, combine lemon sauce, oregano, garlic and olive oil. Shake until well combined.
- Toss chickpea mixture with vinaigrette and feta cheese.
- Season with salt and pepper to taste.
FYI - if you're a lover of chopped salads, this version with pork, avocados, beans and a Cajun lime dressing is a family favorite.
