Here's the scenario: you are at home and hungry. You have to cook up something scrumptious for you and your boyfriend/girlfriend/ spouse/child/friend, but the ingredients you have on hand are limited.
You have a package of pita, a can of garbanzo beans, and black olives. Using these products, along with whatever you currently have on hand in your cupboard and refrigerator, what would you make?
To see what I would make, read more.
- To eat more salads this week I purchased a huge container of mixed greens. I will start by cutting the pita into 1 inch pieces. I will toss these with olive oil, salt, pepper, and roasted red pepper flakes. I will place the pita croutons on a baking sheet and bake in the oven for 15 minutes or until crisp and crunchy.
- Meanwhile, I'll prep the salad. In a big bowl I'll combine greens, rinsed garbanzo beans, and chopped black olives. To this I will add a couple of things I know I have in the fridge — green onions and sun dried tomatoes.
- I will make a simple red wine vinegar flavored with a little bit of mustard and toss the salad to coat.
- I'll add the pita croutons and enjoy the salad with a chilled glass of the white wine I purchased yesterday: dry Riesling!


The obvious here is hummus, but cmon that is boring!
I would make some curry:
1 chopped onion
1 chopped tomato
1 can chick peas
1 tsp ginger
½ tsp red chili powder
1 tsp coriander powder
½ tsp cumin powder
½ tsp garam masala
½ tsp dried mango powder (amchoor)
¼ tsp turmeric powder
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp cumin
olive oil
1 cup water
OR 2tbs red curry paste, to taste
Black Olives
Method: Add cumin seeds to hot oil and allow to crackle. Add onion and fry till lightly browned.
Add spices and fry for a minute.
Snack on the blakc olives while cooking. You know you can't resist!
Add chopped tomatoes and cook till tomatoes pulp. Add chickpeas and a cup of water and cover cook for 10-12 minutes.
Stir in lemon juice and sprinkle garam masala and coriander as garnish. Serve with pita
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