You’ll probably notice that a lot of my recipes over the summer involve cilantro and lime flavors.  What can I say, there is just something about this combo in the summer months…it just tastes right.

I learned this recipe from my aunt who is great in the kitchen.  I modified it a bit.  She makes it with lemon juice and parsley.  Also very good, but like I said I’m a sucker for cilantro and lime.

CHICKPEA SALAD

-1 can drained, rinsed chickpeas (also called garbanzo beans)

-¼ cup red bell pepper, diced

-¼ cup cucumber, diced

-¼ cup onion, diced

-1 large garlic clove, minced

-2 Tbsp fresh cilantro, finely chopped

-1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil

-Juice and zest of one lime

-¼ cup parmesan cheese (I take shredded and finely chop it)

Mix ingredients and enjoy! Pretty simple, eh?  This is a dish that only gets better as it sits in the refrigerator; it really lets those flavors meld together.  If you can give it a couple hours to marinate before eating, that would only help.  I like this plain, as a side dish with some grilled chicken breasts, or even over a lettuce salad.  Ohhhh, now my tummy is grumbling.

Side Note: Any time I include vegetables in my recipes I can’t guarantee the amounts, because I generally don’t cook with a recipe.  I would recommend just adding as many or as few of the vegetables as you would like.  I guess that would be vegetables to taste…?