Tomato Cucumber and Chickpea Salad
- one 15.5 oz. can garbanzo beans
- 2 T white balsamic vinegar
- 3 T good quality extra virgin olive oil
- 1 1/2 cups diced tomatoes
- 1 1/2 cups diced cucumbers with skin on
- 1/2 cup chopped fresh basil, parsley, or oregano
- salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup crumbled Feta, plus more to add at the table if desired
- Rinse and dry the garbanzo beans
- Mix olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and your seasoning of choice
- Place beans in small Ziploc bag, pour dressing over and marinate beans in refrigerator 4-6 hours or longer.
- When you’re ready to prepare the salad, remove beans from refrigerator and drain them in a colander, reserving the dressing.
- Taste dressing for seasoning, and if you don’t think you have enough dressing, add a bit more balsamic vinegar and olive oil.
- Dice tomatoes and if they’re extra juicy, put in colander to drain while you prepare other ingredients.
- Cut cucumbers into fourths lengthwise, and then into pieces about 1/2 inch wide.
- Put basil or other herbs into salad spinner and wash, spin dry or dry with paper towels, and cut with herb scissors or coarsely chop using a chef’s knife.
- Combine tomatoes, cucumbers, garbanzo beans and basil in a bowl and toss with reserved salad dressing.
- Season salad with salt and fresh ground black pepper to taste, then gently mix in the crumbled Feta.
- Serve right away, with more Feta to add at the table if desired.