Mediterranean Salad

There is this restaurant near our called Aubergine and it is SO good. It is a simple, healthy place that does delicious Mediterranean salads, pitas, soups, smoothies, etc. I wish I could eat there every day. But, my bank account can't afford that. My favorite is the Mediterranean Bowl: baked falafel, hummus, baba ghanoush, spinach, quinoa, lentils, carrots, tabbouleh, "Aubergine Salad", beet salad, red cabbage, olives, and tahini dressing.

It is so good. I just ate lunch and am SO FULL, but just thinking about it and looking at their website makes me want it so bad. So, since my bank account can't afford me to eat there often, I have created my own version and what is great is that I can make this for my family of 3 for less than one bowl there will cost. When you look at the list, it looks overwhelming, but I promise, it really isn't THAT bad.

Falafel

grilled vegetables

cucumber salad

avocado

hummus

kale

quinoa

yogurt mint sauce

pita

Falafel

1 can garbanzo beans

1/4 yellow onion, diced

1 medium carrot, chopped

1/4 c fresh parsley (2 tsp dry)

1/8 c bread crumbs

1/2 tsp cumin

1/4 tsp coriander

cayenne pepper

1/4 + 1/8 tsp baking soda

1 T lemon juice

1/2 T olive oil

Grilled Vegetables

Zucchini

Red Bell Pepper

Olive Oil

Salt and Pepper

Oregano

Garlic

1. Wash and chop veggies and grill in olive oil with spices until tender

Cucumber Salad

1/2 cucumber, diced

2-3 Roma tomatoes, diced

fresh basil

balsamic vinegar

1. Wash and chop veggies and combine with basil and vinegar

Dressing

vegan yogurt

fresh mint, finely chopped

1 tsp maple syrup

Rest of ingredients

avocado

hummus

kale

1 c quinoa

pita

Directions

1. I always start with the falafel.

-Puree everything except 1/2 the beans until smooth. Add last of beans until roughly chopped for texture.

-Form into 2" patties on baking sheet and freeze 15 minutes

-Bake at 400 degrees F for 15-20 minutes

2. While the falafel freezes, cook quinoa according to package instructions

3. Chop veggies for the grilled vegetables and grill with spices at 400 for 15 minutes, stir and grill 10 more minutes.

4. While vegetables are grilling, chop vegetables for cucumber salad and marinate in the vinegar

5. Make the yogurt dressing

6. Once everything is ready build your salad by taking a little bit of everything and of course, don't forget the pita.

7. ENJOY

*PS: you can also build this into a pita if you want*

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