You guys. Parenthood is over. I just finished the Serial podcast. Vampire Diaries is getting a little off its game — even for Vampire Diaries. (But, attractive people…)
And do we even want to talk about The Bachelor? This season is a freaking circus of crazies and the ring master is an unfortunately fauxhawk’d makeout slut with waaaaaay less facial hair than is necessary for the whole Iowa Farmer thing to be charming. (Also, that matte pink lipstick looks good on exactly none of you, so stop passing it around. JUSTSTOPIT. Jesus.)
I think I need a detox from popular programming. Or maybe just a detox, in general.
(I feel like here’s where I should put another picture of this salad thingyding. Isn’t it just the picture of health?
Chickpeas! Quinoas! Green stuffs! It’s exactly what should be going into your tummy when limos of drunk girls are going into your eyeballs.)
OMG, you kinda like the makeout slut, don’t you?
DO YOU? But he’d be so much hotterrrrrr with a reeeeeal beeaarrrdddd….
Ugh. Let’s not even.
So honestly, I think I’ve said that recipes are “stupid easy” a time or two, but this time I weeeealllly mean it.
Step 1. Lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper → bowl.
Step 2. All of the other shit: also → bowl. (The same bowl, even. What!)
Step 3. Eat every day for a week, if so desired. (I so desired.)
See what I mean? SO easy, it’s maybe a little wrong. A little…tabooleh.
Do you get —
Do you see what I —
Because it’s almost wrong, but it’s also a riff on the classic Lebanese bulgar wheat salad, so together it’s kind of —
You know what, if I have to explain it, it’s not funny, you guys.
All joking aside, this twist on a traditional tabbouleh (wheat out, quinoa and chickpeas, in) really has been my go-to lunch for the better part of a week, and it maintains its zippy vigor rather impressively over time. For that reason, alone, I can already see it being my siggy potluck dish this coming summer. But, because reasonably sweet cherry tomatoes can be found almost all year round, I can also see myself making it many times over between now and then. Yay!
And re: versatility, it’s great as a side, of course, but with a little crumbled feta cheese over the top, it’d be a pretty satisfying vegetarian supper, too. Or add it to a party spread among some other mediterranean faves and treat it like a first course. Everyone will think it’s some ritzy $8.99/lb deal from the Whole Foods salad bar — when really it’s just a can o’ beans and some change. Stupid easy and stupid cheap! Are we firing on all cylinders today, or what?
BANG. BANG.
Hope you like it, peeeeeeeeeps.
Roses for all the ho’s(es)!
xo,
Em
- ¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
- juice of 2 lemons
- zest of 1 lemon
- ½ tsp sea salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
- 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
- 1 cup cherry or grape tomatoes, quartered
- ¾ cup cooked quinoa (I always use this method for cooking)
- ¾ cup curly parsley, finely chopped
- ¼ cup red onion, finely diced
- In a large bowl, whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, lemon zest, salt and pepper.
- Add remaining ingredients, tossing well to combine.
- Enjoy immediately -- or refrigerate salad and allow flavors to meld for 30 mins - overnight.
Also, if you're not looking to keep this salad vegan, I love the addition of a little finely crumbled feta right over the top.

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OH! before you go…
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14 Comments on “quinoa + chickpea tabbouleh (gf + vegan)”
I have all of the ingredients so I will be making this today! Have you ever added in kalamata olives? They are so delicious!
Thanks!
Yes! Kalamata olives – love them! *applause* I like it with tiny cubes of cukes, too, but if you’re gonna be hanging on to it for a few days, they leech quite a bit of water into the salad. Hope it worked out for ya – enjoy! <3
This is gorgeous! Far more so, than say, reality television. (Which I feel people should be forced to watch in prison. AS A PUNISHMENT.)
So true – reality TV is an ugly bitch of a beast. But it’s also kinda car-wrecky. Can’t look at it, can’t look away… Although, I guess if these are the problems topping my list, I’m doing ok. First worldy, even. 🙂 Thanks, gal!
Great idea for nada, zip, zilch wheat bulgar — good substitute cuz it keeps the nutty flavor and has a similar “mouth” feel. Yeah, you wouldn’t expect that Bachelor farmer guy to be such a whore! Guess we know what’s top of his list to make sure is there for his potential future wifey — “chemistry”! I like Britt’s looks, but, jeez, if she has to have make-up on 24/7 and if it’s true she doesn’t like to shower — what’s up with that?! But, this season, I like NO ONE — all haters, whiners, and much too superficial And, yeah, looks like they stacked the deck with crazies.
Stacked the deck is right! And I was pretty good with Britt until this last episode — now they’re all questionable. When’s that man gonna grow a personality?! C’mon people.
Just give me all the tabbouleh and trashy tv! 😉
It’s alllllll yours Grace. Now, can I come over? 😉
This looks yummy! Chickpeas are something I need to use more of. There’s been a sad, lonely box of them in my cupboard for a looooong time. Perhaps it’s time 🙂
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1) you had me laughing out loud for this one
2) this looks delicious!
3) you’re awesome, keep it up
Ha, thanks Eva! You’re too sweet. But really — that LIPSTICK! It’s still making the rounds!! 😉
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