Salads

1 large or 2 medium shallots, thinly sliced
3 T red wine vinegar
1 garlic clove, minced
1/4 tsp. salt, or to taste
2 15-oz. cans chickpeas, drained
1 large carrot, peeled and coarsely grated
1/2 cup flat-leaf parsley leaves, chopped
1/3 cup extra-virgin olive oil
Freshly milled black pepper

In a large bowl, combine the shallots, vinegar, garlic, and salt.
Set aside for 10 minutes to allow the shallots and garlic to mellow.

In a medium saucepan over high heat, bring 2 quarts of water to a
boil. Add the chickpeas and blanch for 1 to 2 minutes. Drain.

Ingredients:

--minced aromatics (onion, garlic, shallots)
--vinegar (balsamic, wine, cider...) or lemon juice
--salt (and pepper, and sweetener if you wish)

--mild root veggies (carrots, golden beets, mild radishes)
--some stronger-tasting root veggies--use less (red beets, spicy
radishes, celariac)
--finely shredded cabbage (green, red, napa...)
--really finely shredded greens (kale, collards if they're sweet...)

--herb-type greens, if you want (parsley, cilantro, basil)--these can
make for tasty salads, but they're so delicate that sometimes the salad
will keep poorly

1 pound small shell or spiral pasta
(or use rice pasta)
1/4-3/4 cup olive oil

4-8 oz. feta cheese

1 can black olives

2 medium diced tomatoes, OR 1 pint cherry tomatoes, OR 2 diced red peppers

1/2 small red onion, sliced thinly

3 small cucumbers, diced

1 1/2 tbsp oregano

Salt and Pepper to taste

Cook pasta until just before it's al dente; drain well. Coat pasta gently with olive oil, then add remaining ingredients except for the feta, and mix gently but thoroughly. Mix in the feta.

Mix together:

1 tsp. dried mustard
1/2 tsp. basil
1/4 tsp. pepper
1 clove minced garlic
2 Tbs. balsamic vinegar
3 Tbs. maple syrup
1 Tbs. lemon juice
1/4 cup cider vinegar
between 1/2 and 1 cup olive oil
1 tsp. salt

Rinse and tear up a huge wad (1-2 bunches) of kale, and pour the dressing over the kale in a closeable container.

Let sit for at least 6 hours, and up to a day, in the fridge. Turn/shake container every couple of hours at first.

1 large butternut squash, seeded (no need to peel), cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices.

Toss with olive oil, salt and pepper, and roast in a single layer in a baking pan until tender.

When the squash is done, arrange on a serving platter. Top with
-half of a thinly sliced onion
-a few cloves thinly sliced garlic
-a generous sprinkling of dried oregano
-fresh minced parsley and mint (can use dried too).

Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and drizzle with
-olive oil
--cider vinegar