caprese chickpeas

I know this may sound crazy... but I had planned to do some sort of mediterranean chickpea salad this week... and I had meant to do caprese salad (this is a basic but delicious salad of fresh mozzarella, fresh basil and fresh tomato - emphasis on fresh for all three - drizzled with olive oil).

I had a great shopping trip this morning... score some good fresh wild fish (as opposed to farmed, which i try not to eat), lots of fresh herbs, a watermelon, tons and tons of produce (so much that I won't bore you by listing it but any time you find PURPLE sweet potatoes - it's been a great shopping trip!) I got tons of stuff, kept it under my planned budget and... forgot the fresh mozzarella.

Necessity being the mother of invention... and myself being a bit reluctant to head back out to our very busy little supermarket... I decided to combine my chickpea salad and caprese salad and VOILA! caprese chickpea salad was born!

I chopped about six small fresh tomatoes... opened two cans of chickpeas... put those both in a strainer to let the excess fluids all drain off... salted them... added about 1/2 a cup of chopped fresh basil... drizzled 1/4 cup of olive oil over it... and... mmmm!

It makes about 6 cups... 1/2 cup = 2 weight watchers points. I took that happy little half cup and put it on top of this incredible fresh baked flax bread... so that I could eat the salad and then enjoy the juices that dripped into the bread... so, so good!

I'm also planning a slaw of carrots and shredded zucchini with this fat free lime basil dressing that I found... with the rest of the fresh basil.

And, my usual staple of taboule... which is the perfect summer salad... bulgur wheat with tomatoes, cucumbers (or not), peppers, onions, cilantro - drizzled in olive oil and lemon juice. Incredible over a bed of baby spinach!

there are lots of good movies on TCM this weekend... I'm going to do a little bit of my Kuntree Kardio (aerobics/pilates in the privacy of my own home) and just enjoy the peaceful weekend.

Love and hugs!