Greek Salad Protein Bowl

Beautiful and Delicious.  

I crave Greek food now. Something about the combination---YUM!

Ingredients:

Spinach

Cabbage

Cucumbers

cherry tomatoes

pumpkin seeds

feta

avocado (sprinkle with salt/pepper)

Chickpeas (either canned or the crunchy ones)

chicken

Microgreens

Hummus

Almonds

Tzatiki yogurt sauce (optional-the one from Trader Joes is delicious if you want to buy it)

Salad Dressing:

I like to either use Olive Garden Italian Dressing or 

this homemade Divine Lemon Basil Caesar Dressing or

this homemade Lemon-Herb Tahini sauce

 

Gourmet Garden Greek Salad

This is a "lettuce-less" salad.  This is so colorful and fresh.  Summer is here!

Image Credit Here

INGREDIENTS:

Combine in a bowl a combination of the following:

Tomatoes

diced red onion (a little goes a long way)
Fresh Chives
Fresh Basil/Parsley
Cucumber
Celery
Red Pepper
Avocado
Feta Cheese

Garbonzo Beans

Kalamata or black olives

Fresh pepper

-Toss salad with Olive Garden Dressing and garnish with a little Balsamic Glaze

Falafel Taco or Salad Bowl

I've become a big fan of Greek Food.  My most recent trip to Europe, I probably ate Greek Food every other day.  It is quick and fresh!

You can make this either salad or taco style!

Image from Here

Image from Here

Using Trader Joes cooked falafel (in frozen section), Mediterranean hummus, tzatkiki sauce, sweet potato fries, and bottled sliced kalamata olives makes this recipe extra simple!

 

Toppings/Fillings Options:
Falafel (Trader Joes has a super easy and simple prepared falafel balls that you just bake in the oven)
Red onion

Hummus

cucumber

kalamata olives
Mild banana pepper rings
bell peppers
tomatoes

shredded carrots

sliced avocado
feta cheese
Lettuce greens/spinach
Tzatziki sauce (Trader Joes has prepared version if you want a simple shortcut)

Microgreens (can also get these at Trader Joes)
Sweet Potato Fries

Build your taco with a tortilla of choice (prefer Trader Joes options since they don't have weird after taste---but they DO GO MOLDY quickly, so keep them frozen until you plan to use them.  They will keep in fridge 2-3 days) and a variety of toppings.  Enjoy!

Roasted Cauliflower with Hummus, Olives and Feta

 

If this sounds intriguing---MAKE IT.  It is SO good!

his is an appetizer I love to get at Nordstrom Bistro.  Rather than roasting a slice" of cauliflower, they flash fry the florets.  Either way is delicious.

Picture and recipe from HERE.

Simplify this recipe by using your favorite store bought hummus.  

Greek Pasta Salad

Recipe and picture from Just a Taste.  I was asked to make this for a friend's wedding.  It has turned out to be on of my favorite pasta salads.  It makes GREAT leftovers.  I'd actually suggest letting the dressing sit on pasta salad for a bit (recipe says three hours).  It does taste better as flavors have time to set.

Ingredients

Produce

• 15 Cherry tomatoes
• 1 Cup diced cucumbers
• 3/4 Cupdiced green peppers (colored peppers also work)
• 2/3 Cupsliced red onions
• 2 Teaspoonsdried oregano
• 1 1/2 Teaspoonsminced garlic

Condiments

• 3/4 Cup sliced olives
• 2 Teaspoonsfreshly squeezed lemon juice

DIRECTIONS

Make the pasta salad:

Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the pasta and cook it until al dente. Strain the pasta and transfer it to a large bowl to cool slightly. While the pasta cools, make the dressing.

Make the dressing:

In a small bowl, whisk together all of the dressing ingredients, except for the olive oil. While whisking, stream in the olive oil. Season the dressing with salt and pepper, to taste. 

Add the red onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, olives, green peppers and feta cheese to the bowl with the pasta.

Pour the dressing over the pasta, tossing to combine, then cover the salad with plastic wrap and refrigerate it for at least 3 hours and up to overnight. When ready to serve, toss the pasta salad again and enjoy cold or at room temperature.

Pasta & Grains

• 2 1/2 Cups uncooked pasta

Oils & Vinegars

• 1/2 Cupextra-virgin olive oil
• 1/3 Cupred wine vinegar

Dairy

• 1 Cupcrumbled feta cheese

Other

• 1 Teaspoon sugar