Tuscan Bean Salad

I found a similar salad in the salad bar at Kroger and wanted to make it myself at home. While mine isn't as saturated with oil, the lighter dressing still packs a punch with the cider. The crunch of the green pepper and textures from the chick peas and barley are harmonious. It got two thumbs up at my house. 

Yield: 4 cups
Total Time: 35 min

INGREDIENTS

1/2 cup barley (I used Trader Joe's 10-minute Barley)
1 can Northern Beans
1 can Garbanzo Beans
1/2 green pepper, diced
1/2 red pepper, diced
1/2 bunch green onions, sliced thin
1/4 cup Sundried Tomatoes, chopped
1/4 cup Pesto
1/4 cup White Wine Vinegar (I used Apple Cider Vinegar)
1-2 Tbsp Olive oil
1-2 Tbsp chopped Parsley
Salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS
1) Bring barley and 2 1/2 cups salted water to boil on high in saucepan. Reduce heat to LOW; cook, stirring occasionally, about 15 min until barley is tender. Drain; rinse with cold water.

2) Combine barley, beans, peppers, onions, tomatoes, pesto, vinegar, basting oil, and parsley in large mixing bowl. Season with salt and pepper. Refrigerate for a couple hours and serve cold. 

Nutrition Info: One serving (4 oz) contains 170 calories, 26 g carbohydrate, (7 g fiber), 7 g protein, 5 g fat, (1 g saturated fat), 0 mg cholesterol, and 230 mg sodium.

Lemon Orzo Pasta

Ingredients

3/4 Cup Orzo
1/8 Cup Green Onion, Chopped
1/2 Cup Garbanzo Beans
1/2 Cup Feta Cheese
The juice from 1/2 a Lemon
Extra Virgin Olive Oil
Basil to taste
Garlic to taste

Directions

1) Cook the orzo per the directions. I salted my water.
2) Mix the orzo and list of ingredients together in a bowl
3) I added about a 1/8-1/4 Cup of basil, 1-2 Tbsp. of minced garlic and the same of Olive Oil.
4) Refrigerate for a couple hours to chill before serving.

Curried Chickpea Salad

Ingredients

• 1 (15.5 oz.) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon curry powder
• 1 green pepper, chopped (or 1 stalk celery)
• 1/4 cup red onion, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons yogurt (or mayo)
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
• Salt and pepper to taste

Directions

1. In a medium size mixing bowl combine chickpeas, garlic, curry powder, green pepper, onion, yogurt, lemon juice, cilantro, salt and pepper to taste.