Craving something super healthy? I was. Perfect hot summer day lunch or for your next picnic!
I’m having a hard time believing that it’s August already. I swear the older I get the days get shorter and there never seems to be enough time. Who else feels this way? It is what it is and we just gotta deal right? Amidst all the craziness that last week brought, I got to go to Red Rocks again last night. Yeah, hanging with my BFF Stacy and doing what we like to do best. See live music (I’m such a sucker for this). Last nights line up, The Revivalists, JJ Grey and Mofro and Michael Franti and Spearhead. The energy in the amphitheater was so up beat last night thanks to such great performances by all the bands. Concerts at Red Rocks are so amazing as they seem to never end. I think the bands are just so excited to be playing in such a kick ass venue that they just keep playing and playing. We are so lucky to have it in our back yard. I wish that everyone in the world could experience it! You know me (well no you don’t but trust me), I talk to anyone and everyone. Last night while chatting it up with folks at the show, I realized that everyone that I met was from out of state. Everywhere from Boston, to Michigan, Iowa, Seattle and even Venezuela. It’s so cool to hear people say, “this is so unbelievable, I’m so lucky to be here”. Red Rocks is certainly a place that I don’t take for granted and still get chill bumps every time that I walk in! If you ever have an invitation to go, don’t turn it down, figure it out, make it happen. It doesn’t matter who is playing. Just go!
While “eating” my through the aisles at Costco last week (come on admit it, we all do it), I came across a sample of Balela (Mediterranean Bean Salad). Oh my, so delicious which is strange because I’m not one to eat beans. In fact I can’t remember the last time that I did, but things change and now I’m a bean eating convert. Leave it up to the people in the Mediterranean to invent something this good and healthy. Holy cow who would have thought that this is one of the best salads that I have ever had. Since I never buy prepackaged food, I decided to figure out how to make it at home. Voila, it’s easy to make with a little bit of prep and it tastes even better the longer it sits in the fridge. I served this for two dinners last week. One alongside a big rib eye steak and the other with BBQ’d ribs for my Mom’s birthday dinner. It’s a super side dish for any meal! Give it a try.
- 2 15 oz cans garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 15 oz can black beans, drained and rinsed
- 1 15 oz can cannelli beans, drained and rinsed
- 1/2 cup red onion, diced small
- 1/2 cup cherry tomatoes, sliced in half
- 1/2 cup cucumber, seeded and chopped small
- 1/2 cup fresh parsley, chopped
- 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped
- 2 tbs fresh dill, minced
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- zest of one lemon
- 1/4 cup lemon juice
- 2 tbs red wine vinegar
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp pepper
- 1/2 cup olive oil
- Feta cheese crumbles (optional)
- In a large mixing bowl add the beans, onion, tomatoes, cucumber, parsley, dill, mint and lemon zest. Toss to combine well.
- To make the dressing. In a small bowl, add the garlic, vinegar, lemon juice, salt and pepper. Slowly whisk in olive oil until mixture becomes slightly thick.
- Pour the dressing over the bean mixture and let marinate for at least four hours or overnight.
- Adjust seasoning if necessary and serve with feta cheese if desired.
The view of the amphitheater walking up from the parking lot. Just so pretty!
Right before sunset. The clouds were so great last night. A perfect summer evening in Colorado.
Another big crowd. I’m sure that any show at Red Rocks sells out!
Red Rocks is pretty magical when it’s all lit up!
We sat off to the side of the stage for this show but the view was still pretty cool!