With cooler weather fast approaching, wouldn’t it be nice to take a cruise around the Mediterranean? If that’s not on your agenda anytime soon, at least you can experience a taste of it with a salad that’s native to the region. Not only is it delicious, it’s really good for you too!

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 4 cups arugula (Also known as salad rocket. It’s a leafy green herb that’s part of the mustard family.)
  • One 15 ounce (425 grams) can chickpeas (garbanzo beans), drained and rinsed
  • 2 tbsp. dried oregano
  • 3 tbsp. olive oil
  • 2 tbsp. red wine vinegar
  • 1/4 cup pine nuts, toasted (Toasting releases and intensifies the rich flavour. It’s easy to do: Spread the nuts on a baking sheet and bake at 375°F, until golden brown, for about 5 minutes.)
  • Cheese: 10 small Bocconcini balls or Mozzarella balls, halved
  • 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
  • 10 black pitted olives, sliced
  • Ground pepper, to taste

Instructions:

  1. In a small bowl or jug, whisk together the dried oregano, ground pepper, olive oil, and red wine vinegar.
  2. In a large salad bowl, combine arugula, cherry tomatoes, chick peas, cheese, and red onion.
  3. Pour dressing over salad and toss to combine.
  4. Serve topped with pine nuts.

Serves 4 as a side dish or 2 as a main course. Kalh Oreksh! (That’s Greek for bon appetit. Now you know!)