Mmmmm, Dinner

My New Year's Resolution is to eat less meat. Specifically, I want to stick to a vegetarian diet once a week. Therefore, in comes Meatless Monday.
Meatless Monday is a "nation health campaign to help Americans prevent heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and cancer..." According to wikipedia, it dates back to a government movement during WWI for families to eat less meat to save money for war bonds.

If you know me, you know that this is not why I'm doing it. I'm doing it because Americans eat too much meat. Meat, produced under most circumstances (including organic), is much worse for the environment than how most veggies (especially organic) are produced. Also, meat takes a lot more inputs of energy and water than veggies. And we all know that our next war will be over water, we are already fighting over energy.
Plus, veggies, grains, and beans are tasty. It helps expand my collection of recipes. And, it is good for our health.

So, today was my first Meatless Monday of the year. Or, should I say, our first Meatless Monday.

These chickpeas were great. Spicy, a little tart, and a bit tangy, they really hit the spot on a cold Minnesota evening. They were also super low fat and have lots of fiber. Served on rice, they make a complete protein. Even CJ liked them.

Labels: chickpeas, Indian, Meatless Monday, rice

Here you go Dean, a completely vegan (and virtually fat free) dinner.
Saute 3 cloves of garlic and a small onion in a teeny bit of olive oil (I used the spray kind) until tender. Add in juice of a lemon, a chopped large tomato, and a can of chickpeas. Cook until the tomatoes breakdown a bit and give you a sauce, 3-5 minutes. Throw a whole lot of Kale on top (maybe 4-5 cups, chopped) and let wilt. Season with salt and pepper.

Serve with two tiny, juicy, succulent lamb chops and a piece of rye bread.

Labels: chickpeas, greens, lamb