Mediterranean Garbanzo Bean Salad

Mediterranean Garbanzo Bean Salad with a Lemon Dill Vinagrette

In Tamarindo the days are very hot and most of the time in the afternoons it is nice to have an energy-filled lunch that is light and healthy that wont wear you down in the heat.

This Mediterranean Garbanzo Bean Salad is just the perfect balance of substance and freshness…plus its easy to make in a matter of minutes.  Less time in the kitchen means more time on the beach!

For the salad

2 cups garbanzo beans

1/2 red onion, minced and rinsed (calms the oniony flavor down)

1 chile dulce, diced (1/4 inch)

1 medium zucchini, diced (1/4 inch)

lettuce or cabbage

1/4 cup feta cheese to top salad

pinenuts toasted (optional)

Directions:
Put garbanzo beans, red onion, red pepper, zucchini in a bowl.  Toss with Lemon Dill Vinagrette (recipe follows). Top with crumbled feta cheese, drizzle with a little olive oil, and top with pinenuts (optional, but worth it!) Salt and pepper to taste.  Serve on top of fresh chopped lettuce or cabbage.

Lemon Dill Vinagrette

1/4 cup olive oil

Juice of two limes ( or one lemon)

1 tbsp chopped fresh dill or 1 tsp dry dill

1/4 tsp salt

1/8 tsp black pepper

Directions:
Whisk together all ingredients and pour over salad.

Serves two nicely, so invite a friend to lunch!