Chickpea & Feta Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing

Whew, I have had a super busy Friday and I couldn't wait to sit down and send you out a huge "TGIF", but I just noticed it's already Saturday! I've just now found a minute to sit down and put my thoughts down in writing. The dogs and I have been very busy getting lots of treats ready for a special husband/doggie dad's birthday. Well I've been busy baking and pushing cold, wet doggie noses away from the counters; the dogs consider themselves "quality control". We also had a somewhat successful photo shoot (pics to come later) and by successful, I mean that both dogs stayed in one spot much longer than our previous photo attempts. I was proud and they got rewarded with chicken weiners....it was a happy moment for all. 

Derek's birthday is coming up on Monday, but as you know I don't believe in doing a birthday, it's all about the birthday weekend in this house. Derek is working alot and we are quite busy, so I'm trying to fit in lots of treats and little surprises, so Derek still feels spoiled and is able to have a few moments through the next few days where he can bask in the birthday glow. 

As usual, as soon as I got home from work I quickly got busy doing ten things at one time and didn't get around to making dinner until after 8 p.m. I've been eating way too many carbs over the past few days, so I wanted to do a really good salad tonight and I wanted the salad to be quick and easy to whip together. This salad fits the bill - it's super easy to modify because you can use any veggies you have on hand and you could switch the chickpeas up for white beans if you prefer.

Chickpea & Feta Salad with Honey Mustard Dressing

Inspired by Vegetarian Times

This makes one large dinner-size salad or two to three side salads. This salad is delicious and filling and can be modified to include any veggies that you have on hand. Honey mustard is one of my favourite dressings and this one was so incredibly easy to make. It would also be amazing on a veggie wrap. To me, the combination of feta & honey mustard are a match made in heaven.

Salad
1 1/2 - 2 cups torn greens (I used romaine - spinach would also be yummy)
2 green onions, chopped
1/3 orange pepper, chopped
1 small tomato, chopped
1/2 c. chickpeas
1/4 c. crumbled feta cheese

Honey Mustard Dressing
2 tbsp dijon mustard
2 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
1/2 tsp apple cider vinegar
2 tsp honey
pinch black pepper
pinch garlic powder (fresh minced garlic would also be great)

To assemble the salad, place the lettuce on a large plate. Top with your veggies, followed by the chickpeas and then finish off with a sprinkling of feta cheese.

Then make your dressing. Add all of the ingredients into a small bowl and whisk until well mixed.

Drizzle over the salad and serve.

Yum! This salad was very tasty. Derek was working, so I ate the entire thing myself. On the side, I had a slice of teriyaki marinated tofu. It was a delicious and satisfying dinner!

I know I've said it before, but I just have to say it again: I will never buy salad dressing again! It is just too darn easy to make your own and they are so much more delish!

Well, I think it's time to bid you all goodnight. My kitchen looks like a cake batter and sprinkles bomb went off and I need to get to work to hide the evidence before I head to bed so (a) Derek doesn't suspect anything; and (b) he doesn't find my goodies and eat them all before morning!

Have a wonderful night and a fabulous weekend.

What special birthday traditions do you have?
Do you also like to stretch out birthday celebrations over a few days - I personally think it's the only way to do it ;-)

Andrea