Chickpea Salad with Lemon, Parmesan, and Fresh Herbs
Goes well with: chicken and beef kabob, grilled eggplant, pita, Mediterranean-themed fare
Perfect for protein-craving vegans!
Yield: Makes 2 servings
Total time: 10 minutes
Ingredients:
- 1 15-to 15 1/2-ounce can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), rinsed, drained
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh basil
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh Italian parsley
- 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 4 teaspoons extra-virgin olive oil
- 1 small garlic clove, pressed
- 1/3 cup (packed) freshly grated Parmesan cheese
- Coarse kosher salt
Preparation:
Combine rinsed and drained chickpeas, chopped fresh basil, chopped Italian parsley, fresh lemon juice, extra-virgin olive oil, and pressed garlic clove in medium bowl. Add grated Parmesan cheese and toss gently to blend all ingredients thoroughly. Season chickpea salad to taste with coarse kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper. DO AHEAD: Chickpea salad can be made 4 hours ahead. Cover and refrigerate. Serve salad chilled or at room temperature.
[Source: Epicurious]
Grilled Avocado and Tomato Salad with Basil Pesto
Goes well with: turkey burgers, wheat beer
Ingredients:
- Juice of 2 lemons
- 2 large, firm, ripe avocados
- 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
- Gray salt and freshly ground pepper
- 1 pound vine-ripened tomatoes, preferably several varieties of different shapes and colors
- About 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil or signature olive oil
- 4 teaspoons Basil Pesto, made without pine nuts
- Parmesan cheese
- 1 tablespoon pine nuts, toasted (optional)
Preperation:
Prepare the grill and let it burn down to medium hot coals. Squeeze the lemon juice into a nonreactive bowl large enough to hold the avocados in a single layer. Halve the avocados, discard the pits, and scoop out the flesh in one piece with a rounded spoon. Immediately toss the avocados with the lemon juice to prevent discoloration.
Using a mandoline or sharp chef’s knife, thinly slice the onion. Separate the onion into rings and place in another bowl. Pour some of the lemon juice from the avocados over the onions and season with salt and pepper. Toss well and set aside. Cut the tomatoes lengthwise into thin wedges, season with salt and pepper, and reserve.
Remove the avocados from the lemon juice and set the bowl aside. Season the avocados on all sides with salt and pepper and drizzle very lightly with about 1 tablespoon of the olive oil. Too much and the oil might cause flare-ups.
Grill the avocados, cut side down, until the outside edge looks a little dry and browned, about 2 minutes. Turn onto the rounded side and cook for another 2 minutes. Since so little area is exposed to the heat, this is just to soften, not cook, the avocados. If the avocados were very firm, leave on another minute. Do not turn too often or they may disintegrate. Return the grilled avocados to the bowl with the lemon juice. Spoon the lemon juice over them and set aside until cool enough to handle, then cut into thin wedges.
Place several onion rings in the center of each salad plate. Arrange the avocados on opposite sides and the tomatoes on the remaining two sides. Drizzle each salad with about 1-1/2 teaspoons olive oil and 1 teaspoon pesto. Season again with salt and pepper to taste and give each salad a coarse grating of cheese. Scatter the pine nuts on top, if using, and serve immediately.
[Source: Napastyle]
Heirloom Tomato and Burrata Cheese Salad
Goes well with: pasta, Italian sausages, pizza
Yield: Makes 4 servings
Active Time: 10 minutes
Total Time: 40 minutes
Ingredients:
- 4 large heirloom tomatoes (about 2 1/2 pounds) or 4 to 5 large plum tomatoes
- Fleur de sel or coarse kosher salt
- Freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- 1/4 cup torn fresh basil leaves plus additional whole leaves for garnish
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- 4 (2.5-ounce) rounds burrata cheese
Preperation:
Cut tomatoes into wedges and place in large bowl. Sprinkle with fleur de sel and pepper. Crush oregano between palms to release flavor; add to tomatoes. Add 1/4 cup basil and olive oil and mix well. Let stand at room temperature at least 30 minutes and up to 1 hour, stirring occasionally.
Place 1 burrata cheese round in center of each plate. Fan tomatoes around cheese, dividing equally. Drizzle with dressing from bowl. Garnish with additional basil leaves and serve.
[Source: Bon Appetit]
Shaved Asparagus with Parmesan Vinaigrette
Goes well with: white fish, cous cous
Ingredients:
- 12 large asparagus spears (about 1 pound), trimmed and peeled
- 1/4 cup finely grated Parmesan plus a piece for shaving
- 1 1/2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
- Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper
Preparation:
Working with 1 asparagus spear at a time, use a vegetable peeler to shave spears into long, thin shavings. Transfer to a medium bowl (the tips will snap off as spears get thinner; add to bowl). Combine grated Parmesan and lemon juice in a small bowl and slowly whisk in oil until well blended. Season vinaigrette generously with salt and pepper. Drizzle vinaigrette over shaved asparagus and toss to coat. Divide asparagus salad among plates. Use peeler to shave more Parmesan over salad.
[Source: Runs With Spatulas]
Watermelon, Feta, and Arugula Salad with Balsamic Glaze
Goes well with: BBQ ribs and chicken
Ingredients:
- 1 5-ounce package baby arugula
- 8 cups 3/4-inch cubes seedless watermelon
- 1 7-ounce package feta cheese, crumbled
- 2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar glaze
Arrange arugula over large platter. Scatter watermelon, then feta over. Drizzle with balsamic glaze and sprinkle with pepper.
[Source: Weeknight Gourmet]
- What is your favorite healthy Memorial Day meal? Let us know in the comments!
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