Remember the edible bowls? ....

I almost forgot to photo one before it got 'eated'! (as little Miss Daisy would say).   Whew.... thanks to Mr. BV for asking "where's the camera"?...after he carefully constructed HIS salad in HIS bowl.  He knows what blog nuts we've become. Or maybe that's just wingnuts.  How my camera has become almost a mutant appendage.  It's there on walks or drives or when baking or doing crafts...and even, gulp, at the table........ as a matter of fact it's usually sitting right there on the table or the counter right next to it.

Chicken Chick Pea salad never looked better!  I looked back through lots of postings on my food blog and can't find the salad anywhere.  Can't believe I haven't posted it before...but, I guess not.  It's a great salad and I add and subtract items all the time...depending, of course, upon what's in the house.  Don't forget... a recipe is not really a code...it's more like yer guideline, ye see? ....

Here is the original simple recipe from Bon Appetit ....


Chickpea Salad with Parsley, Lemon, and Sun-Dried Tomatoes

1/4 cup olive oil
1  TBSP. cumin seeds (mostly, I used dried cumin powder)
2  15 oz. cans garbanzo beans (chick peas) rinsed and drained (one is plenty for us)
1  cucumber, seeded and chopped (I use long English so I don't have to seed!)
1/2  cup chopped fresh parsley (or to taste)
1/3  cup drained oil-packed sun-dried tomatoes, thinly sliced (I just use fresh Roma or vine tomatoes)
1/4  cup lemon juice
1  garlic clove, crushed in a garlic press
1/4  tsp. dried crushed red pepper

Combine oil and cumin seeds in heavy small saucepan.  Cook over medium heat 5 minutes to blend flavours, stirring occasionally.  Cool completely.  (I don't bother with this...just use dried herbs)

Combine remaining ingredients in large bowl.  Add cumin oil and toss to blend.  Season salad to taste with salt and pepper.  Make at least an hour ahead to let flavour develop...

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If I want to  make it a bit more exciting....I add some Balsamic vinegar to the lemon juice, or perhaps a little drop of honey.... things like black olives, finely diced red onions, (or slice some for the Mr. to use on his...they don't like me some days)...    how about some crumbled Feta cheese??, maybe chunks of cooked chicken...and this day..I had a perfect avocado just waiting to be eaten..... we topped it off with a dollop of plain yogurt and a sprinkle of paprika just to make it look nice for the camera.  And, we almost got started polishing it off before I even picci'd it!  thank goodness I got a shot of it....this was the best one yet!      

The cumin in this salad (whether it be the whole seeds or the ground dried version) really adds that little something extra.

Poor guy....I was still at it with the camera...even when we got to the end.....and, may I just say?... there were not even crumbs left for the birds.