Middle Eastern Summer Salad

Mirj's Note:

Although I've been eating stuff like this for years and years, I just found the perfect recipe for it. I usually vary this recipe depending what I have on hand, and like to add in some finely chopped onion and some coriander as well.

• Total Time: 45 mins
• Prep Time: 15 mins
• Cook Time: 30 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 6

• 2 medium cucumbers
• 2 medium tomatoes
• ¼ cup snipped fresh parsley
• 2 tablespoons white wine vinegar
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• 1⁄8; teaspoon salt
• 1⁄8; teaspoon coarse black pepper
• 1 (15 ounce) can chickpeas (garbanzo beans)
• ½ cup tahini
• 4 cloves garlic , minced
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 8 large pita bread rounds
• 1⁄8;-¼ teaspoon ground red pepper

Directions:

1. For the salad: Peel the cucumbers (optional, I never peel mine).
2. Chop the cucumbers and the tomatoes.
3. Toss together with the parsley, vinegar, 1 tablespoon of olive oil, 1/8 teaspoon salt, and black pepper.
4. Cover and chill.
5. Wrap pita rounds in foil and heat in a 350 degree F oven for 30 minutes or until warm.
6. For the hummus: Meanwhile, to make the hummus, drain chickpeas, reserving the liquid.
7. In a food processor bowl combine the chickpeas, tahini, and garlic.
8. Add 1 tablespoon of remaining olive oil, lemon juice, and 1/4 teaspoon salt.
9. Cover and process until smooth, adding enough chickpea liquid until the hummus is same consistency as thick oatmeal.
10. Cut the warm pita rounds into wedges.
11. Spoon the hummus onto plates, drizzle with the remaining olive oil, and sprinkle with red pepper.
12. Serve with cucumber and tomato salad.

Reviews

[evelyn/athens]

My family loved this salad. Wonderful flavours and textures. Thanks Mirj.

[ciao]

The summer salad was perfect. A great balance of flavors, and I will use it with other things as well. We found the hummus to be on the bitter side, I think it's more tahini than we're used to. But I whipped up a batch of the one we usually have. With the salad and the pita, it was all good. I would never have thought of having the hummus this way, and it was fabulous. It made me want to be eating it out on a deck, overlooking the ocean, with a nice cool drink alongside. Very refreshing and light, perfect for a summer lunch or light dinner. Thank you Mirj!

[riversanctuary]

I agree with evelyn/athens--excellent flavor and texture even though I had to omit basic ingredients like tomato and tahini! (I didn't have any so I subbed sunflower seeds and it was still excellent). Am looking forward to trying it with all of the ingredients listed! Thanks for a great (vegan) recipe!!