Meatless Monday with Feta and Cucumber Tabbouleh Pita Pocket and Bean Avocado Salad

Hello and thanks for joining us for another Meatless Monday vegetarian recipe share. Miratel took the Meatless Monday pledge as part of our CSR business programs to promote planetary health by reducing meat consumption one day per week (15%). We share a new great vegan or vegetarian recipe each Monday to help make the transition to meat-free easier.

Today we have a cold meal to offset some of the heat outside. This delicious tabbouleh pita pocket with feta and cucumber is light, healthy and satisfying especially when teamed with a bean and avocado salad made with chick peas and black beans. Yum yum and perfect for this time of year. Both of these tried and tested recipes come by way of CBC’s Best Recipes Ever.

Tabbouleh Pita Pockets with Feta and Cucumber Ingredients (serves 4)

• 1/2 cup (125 mL) fine bulgur
• 2 tbsp (25 mL) chopped fresh mint, (or 1/2 tsp/2 mL dried)
• 2 tbsp (25 mL) lemon juice
• 1 tbsp (15 mL) extra virgin olive oil
• 1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt
• 1/4 tsp (1 mL) pepper
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 cup (250 mL) diced cucumbers
• 2 green onions, thinly sliced
• 6 oz (170 g) feta cheese
• 4 whole wheat pita pockets (or multi-grain or gluten-free)
• 4 romaine lettuce, leaves

Tip: Bulgur is available in the dry goods aisle of most larger supermarkets.

Directions:

1. In saucepan, bring 3/4 cup (175 mL) water to boil; remove from heat. Stir in bulgur; cover and let stand until softened and liquid is absorbed, about 40 minutes.
2. In large bowl, whisk together mint, lemon juice, oil, salt and pepper; add bulgur and toss to combine. (Make-ahead: Cover and refrigerate for up to 12 hours.) Add tomatoes, cucumber and green onions; toss gently.
3. Cut feta into 4 slices. Cut off top third of each pita. Line bottom of large piece with cut top. Line each pita pocket with lettuce; insert feta and tabbouleh.

Black Bean, Chickpea and Avocado Salad Ingredients (serves 6)

• 1 can (19 oz/540 mL) black beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can (19 oz/540 mL) chickpeas, drained and rinsed
• 2 green onions, sliced
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 1 sweet yellow peppers or red pepper, chopped
• 1 avocados, peeled, pitted and cubed
• 1/4 cup (50 mL) chopped fresh coriander
• 1 tsp (5 mL) grated lime rind
• 1/4 cup (50 mL) lime juice
• 1/4 cup (50 mL) vegetable oil
• 1 jalapeno peppers, seeded and minced
• 1 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1/4 tsp (1 mL) salt
• 1/4 tsp (1 mL) pepper

Directions

1. In large bowl, toss together black beans, chickpeas, onions, tomatoes, yellow pepper, avocado and coriander. In small bowl, whisk together lime rind and juice, oil, jalapeno pepper, garlic, salt and pepper. Pour over bean mixture; toss to coat.

Tip: If you like a little heat in your food don’t be afraid to add some fresh hot pepper of your choosing to the salad

If you haven’t already, we encourage you to visit the Meatless Monday website and join us in taking the Meatless Monday pledge today. Spread the word at home and at work to promote CSR business initiatives and make your green call centre, office, factory, shop, restaurant or salon even greener.

Enjoy!

________________________________________________________________________________________

For nonprofit, CSR business, digital and other news,please connect with us on Twitter, Facebook and Linkedin or subscribe to our RSS feed.

Miratel Solutions is a Toronto call centre, eBusiness, and letter shop mail house specializing in professional fundraising services including telephone fundraising, online fundraising, lottery services, donation caging, donation processing and other donor management services. We are committed to our CSR business values in all contact centre services and mail house operations and advancing the missions of the nonprofits we proudly serve.