Simple Greek Salad, Chana Masala & Mango Lassi

Summer is not even officially over yet and it is already chilly here in PA!I was hoping the weather will be pleasant at least until late Nov.Why did I think so? No compelling logic there!Just thought...hoped!Hoping this is a passing phase and we will have good weather again but again its just a hope!
Do any of you guys feel down during Winter, with day light savings gone? Or is it JUST ME?
Before the brutal weather kicks in , I thought we can have a good meal on the deck and so I made this simple meal.

Greek Salad
The dressing is from Ellie Krieger's recipe of Greek Dressing
1 packet mixed greens
1 Red Onion, Halved and thinly sliced
1 Medium Tomato, Chopped
1 Cucumber, Peeled and Cubed
Pepperoncini, to your taste;I used less than 1/4 cup
1 can Kalamata Olives or Olives of your choice
Feta Cheese

Dressing
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 1/2 tablespoons lemon juice
1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
1/4 teaspoon salt
Ground black pepper

Whisk Olive Oil, lemon juice, Oregano, Salt and pepper together well.
For the dressing, blend/whisk all the ingredients.
Toss the salad ingredients,add Feta cheese and drizzle the salad dressing

This goes to No croutons required hosted by Lisa.This month's theme is Mediterranean Salad.

Chana Masala with Plain rice

16 oz can of Chickpeas/Garbanzo beans
1 Medium Onion, chopped+extra for garnish
1 Med ripe Tomatoes,chopped
1 Med Potato, Peeled,cubed, boiled
1 1/2 oz Tamarind Pulp
1 tsp Cumin seeds
2 tsps Ginger-Garlic paste
2 green chillies, chopped
Pinch of turmeric
1/2 tsp Garam Masala
Salt to taste
3 tsp ground cumin coriander

Boil or pressure cook Chana/Chickpeas and Potato in a pan until tender but not mashed up.
In a pan, heat 2 tbsp of oil ,fry cumin seeds till it splutters and add onions and green chillies.Cook till onions are soft and translucent.Add ginger-garlic paste, turmeric, garam masala, cumin coriander powder.Cook for about 2 -3 min.
Add Tomatoes and tamarind pulp and cook till the tomatoes are well cooked.
To this, add the boiled/cooked potatoes and Chickpeas
Cook for about 5-8 minutes , until all the flavors are well combined.

This goes to MLLA_15 hosted by Sia of MonsoonSpice, an event started by Susan of the well seasoned cook

Mango Lassi

1 cup (8 oz) Buttermilk;You can make Yogurt into Buttermilk or use the store bought buttermilk.
1 1/2 cup Mango Pulp
1 tsp sugar
1/4 tsp ground Cardamom
2 threads saffron,optional

Blend the ingredients in a blender or if using a whisk, combine them thoroughly.Serve the Lassi with a garnish of Saffron!


This goes to Soup n Juice event hosted by Sireesha.


The whole meal is going to Well Balanced 3 course meal hosted by Yasmeen of Healthnut!

Have fun the rest of the Summer:-)
Shri