Hummus and Greek Chicken- Perfect Light summer food!

This was the yummy plate that I made for myself a couple of days ago. It was the best plate of food. Fresh cucumbers, red pepper slices, warmed pita bread, Greek salad, tangy Greek chicken and freshly made hummus. Delicious!

 

I will share the recipe for the Hummus and also for the chicken. I have no source for the chicken, as I have been making it for years.  I found the Hummus recipe on The Cozy Apron. I did modify it to my personal tastes.

 

Zesty Hummus

2 cans chick peas, rinsed and drained

2 Lemons, zested and juiced

1 Tbsp. water

1 1/2 tsp. salt

2 -3 cloves garlic, minced

1/2 cup plus 2 Tbsp. olive oil

1 tsp. cumin

1/4 tsp. paprika

1/4 tsp. oregano

Combine all the ingredients in a food processor and mix until it reaches a creamy consistency.

 

 

Greek Chicken

2/3 cup olive oil

3/4 cup lemon juice

1 tsp. dried oregano

3 tsp. minced garlic

1 tsp. salt

1/2 tsp. pepper

6 boneless, skinless chicken breasts

Combine all the ingredients in a large skillet, cover and cook over medium heat for 30 minutes or until chicken is cooked through. You can remover the chicken and cover the pan and continue to cook the sauce until it reduces some if you like. Usually I skip that because I live with 5 males and they are anxiously standing over the stove asking if it ready or not!

Chopped Thai Chicken Salad

I am not going to lie to you all. I love eating super savory and wonderfully bad for you foods, just as much as anyone,  but I also like to find recipes that are good for you and are super tasty. During the warmer weather, I also like recipes that don't heat up my house any more than it already is. This recipe that I found on Pinch of Yum is scrumptious. I was drawn to it because I love chopped salads. I also love almost any food that is Thai/Chinese/Japanese. They have such wonderfully fresh flavors! I did alter her recipe though, tailoring it to fit my family and their eating preferences.

Chopped Thai Chicken Salad
1 small head cabbage, chopped
4 carrots, shredded
1 bunch cilantro, chopped
1 bunch green onions, chopped
1/2 cup roasted peanuts, chopped
1 rotisserie chicken, meat removed and chopped
1 can Mandarin oranges, drained

Dressing
2 cloves garlic, minced
1/2 jalapeno, diced very fine
2 Tbsp soy sauce
2 Tbsp sugar
2 Tbsp vinegar
1 Tbsp lime juice
1 Tbsp olive oil
1/2 tsp fish sauce
1/4 cup peanut butter
1/4 cup water

Whisk dressing ingredients together until smooth. Toss salad ingredients together in large bowl, holding the peanuts aside if you have picky eaters who would prefer a salad sans nuts. Toss with dressing, and sprinkle with peanuts.

Recipe adapted from Pinch of Yum

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Refreshing Fruit Salad

One of the best things about spring/summer is the availability of  fresh fruit. It makes me happy! Here is a very simple way to make a fruit salad.

Fruit Salad

Please use what amounts you like of the fruits you and your family enjoy. I used: strawberries, mangoes, kiwis, blackberries, pineapple, mandarin oranges.

1 large orange, zested and juiced

2 limes, zested and juiced

Place fruit in large bowl, stir in zest from the orange and limes, and pour the orange and lime juice over the top. Gently stir the fruit until everything is coated with the juice. 

That is it. Simple and nothing hides the yummy fruit!