9 Quick & Easy Recipes to Slash Your Electricity Bill

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Loaded Veggie & Chickpea Salad

Enjoy this fresh loaded veggie and chickpea salad that saves electricity by using raw ingredients and vegetable protein. This eco-friendly recipe not only reduces energy use but also provides a nutritious, delicious meal.

Ingredients (serves 4):

For the dressing:

• 1/4 cup tahini
• 2 tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 tbsp olive oil
• 1 tbsp maple syrup or honey
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 2-3 tbsp water (to thin, as needed)
• Salt and pepper to taste

For the salad:

• 2 red onions
• 2 avocados
• 1 yellow bell pepper
• 1 red bell pepper
• 15 cherry tomatoes
  
• 1 cucumber
• 8 radishes
• 3.5 oz salad greens of your choice
• 1 can chickpeas
• 1 package feta cheese
  
• Dressing of your choice
• Fresh cilantro, to garnish
• Mix of black & white sesame seeds, to garnish
• Thinly sliced lemon slices, optional

Instructions:

1. Prepare the salad dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together tahini, lemon juice, olive oil, and maple syrup or honey until well combined.
2. Add minced garlic and mix thoroughly.
3. Gradually add water, one tablespoon at a time, until the dressing reaches your desired consistency.
4. Season with salt and pepper to taste, and set aside.
   
5. Prepare the salad: Peel and slice the onions into rings. Peel and slice the avocados.
6. Wash the vegetables. Dice the bell peppers, halve the cherry tomatoes, and cut the cucumber into half moons. Cut the radishes into half moons, and tear the salad greens into bite-sized pieces.
7. Arrange the prepared vegetables in four bowls. Drain and rinse the chickpeas, then distribute them evenly among the bowls. Crumble the feta cheese and sprinkle it over the bowls. Garnish with fresh cilantro leaves and sprinkle each salad with the mix of black and white sesame seeds.
   
8. Optional: Garnish each salad with thinly sliced lemon, if desired.
9. Distribute the salad dressing evenly among the four bowls, toss well to combine, and enjoy!
   

Tip: This dish is perfect for using up leftover vegetables in your fridge.