wanderlust + chick peas

July 09 2009 by Kristin at The Kitchen Sink in Recipe, Salad, Vacation » 20 comments

Oh, dear. It seems I’ve got a serious case of ants in my pants. Or let’s call it wanderlust, maybe. Yes, that’s better—more sophisticated, altogether grown up. Wanderlust. Whatever you call it, I’ve got it. It all started in Boulder. We were there last weekend for a wedding and, though I’d been there once before, the town thoroughly charmed me.

From the lively earthiness unfolding all day long on Pearl Street to the foothills that ring the town—punctuated by flat sheets of rock, jutting up into the sky (flatirons); from the stalls after stalls at the Saturday morning farmers’ market to the never ending games of croquet in my friends’ childhood backyards; from a serious commitment to beers to the little girl in the park asking her mom where she could compost the paper cup in her hands: it was my kind of town. I could get used to this, I thought.

Which is trouble because, as you might recall, I’m headed to Sonoma and Napa in just a few hours. If I’m already in a Boulder-addled state, I can only imagine what a punch the wine country will pack. We might never come back.

But back to Boulder and the ants in my … er, wanderlust it’s unleashed in me. If all those things I rattled off above weren’t enough, the town also proferred a restaurant that was truly meant for me. It’s called The Kitchen and it sits on Pearl Street, a slim space that’s a mix of white and brick and black slate and weathered wood. The menu is not large, but still it tempted me with at least a dozen options. It was so good, dear readers, that we went there twice. In two days. It was that kind of perfect. Of all the things we had there, the thing that stands out the most is the excellent use to which The Kitchen put chick peas, which were sprinkled throughout the menu. So excellent, in fact, that even after two chick pea-laced meals at the restaurant, both Kevin and I came home hungering for more, which is how the salad below—a mish-mash if ever there was one—came to be. We’re also hungering for more vacation—that wanderlust thing, again. So we’ll see you on flip side. If we come back, that is.

Chick Pea-Feta Salad

2 1/2 cups cooked chick peas
1/2 cup minced red onion
1/2 cup thinly sliced celery
1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
2 tablespoons sherry vinegar
1/4 cup crumbled feta
kosher or sea salt, to taste
fresh-cracked black pepper to taste

Combine all ingredients in a mixing bowl; stir to combine. Serve at room temperature or chilled.

20 comments so far. »
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Sam says on July 09 2009 at 8:14 pm:

mmm…chickpeas and feta are one of my favorite combinations! looks delicious.
Whitney says on July 09 2009 at 8:33 pm:

Jen at Use Real Butter always raves about The Kitchen. So glad that you have a good trip. Can’t wait to see the picture from wine country, and the recipe that will surely be inspired by it.
Shannalee says on July 09 2009 at 9:03 pm:

Oh, Kristin. I so get this. I love being home but on vacation, I’m never anxious to come back—it always feels sad to be leaving a new town I love. When we went to D.C. in April, I kept thinking I could get used to this place. When my family spent last weekend in Wisconsin, I drank in the fresh air and beautiful woods and didn’t want it to end.

And as if that’s not enough, I am planning a trip with two friends to Colorado in September, and we just decided to go to Boulder today. I’m pretty sure you and I both know what’s coming. How ’bout if you come back from California, I’ll try to do the same this fall?
Mary says on July 10 2009 at 4:27 am:

I can’t overstate my love for chickpeas. By far the best legume!
Caitlin says on July 10 2009 at 4:48 am:

It’s like our lives are going in reverse! I just got back from the SF / Napa area 3 weeks ago, and next week I’m off to Boulder for a friend’s wedding. We’re going early to go hiking, but I’m pretty sure I’ll be able to convince them to go to The Kitchen, especially with your rave review. Thanks for the tip, and enjoy Napa!
Lee @ foodie plus 4 says on July 10 2009 at 5:14 am:

What a great summer salad. Thank you!
Amy says on July 10 2009 at 5:42 am:

So glad you had a great time! We ate at the Kitchen when we were briefly there two years ago, too – don’t you feel like if it was close to where you live, you’d be eating there at least once (or twice) a week (or…um…more)? I LOVED it. Can’t wait to hear about Napa!

Great chickpea salad, by the way – perfect for summer!
Jennifer says on July 10 2009 at 7:01 am:

A friend once told me that if I visited Boulder, I would want to move there. She’s one to know—soon thereafter, she did. I’m from Sonoma originally, and know you’re going to adore the scenery, people and wines. Cheers to feeding your wanderlust!
Half Assed Kitchen says on July 10 2009 at 7:35 am:

MMm. So simple. So yummy looking.
Emily says on July 10 2009 at 8:54 am:

I love the photos and narrative about Boulder. And I will undoubtedly be trying this chick pea salad… like tonight. Have a wonderful vacation in Napa!
Shawna says on July 10 2009 at 9:50 am:

Such beautiful pictures of my town I’m glad you had a good time in Boulder! I think you could eat out every night for a year, never go the same place twice, and always have a great meal. Have fun on your next trip!
Hillary says on July 10 2009 at 11:43 am:

Love the combination of chickpeas with feta! Thanks for the recipe.
Sprouted Kitchen says on July 10 2009 at 12:34 pm:

yum! i love a good bowl of beans. regardless of the tummy ache, enjoy your trip!
Polly says on July 10 2009 at 1:44 pm:

Watch out for those ants in your pants – domestic visits are the “gateway drug” to the global jaunts. Take it from an addict. Enjoy our fine California wine this weekend!
Cookin' Canuck says on July 10 2009 at 4:05 pm:

Boulder’s a great town, isn’t it? It’s been a long time since I’ve visited, but I absolutely fell in love with its beauty, bistros, and beer.

This chickpea recipe looks wonderful. Maybe this will be my lunch tomorrow.
Jennifer says on July 12 2009 at 1:43 pm:

What a fabulous, beautiful trip!!! I have never been but you make me want to go someday!

I love this chickpea salad with feta! Yum!
Treehouse Chef says on July 12 2009 at 4:31 pm:

I love chickpeas!!!!! I buy the whole foods brand called 365.
maris says on July 12 2009 at 6:14 pm:

Sounds great! I make a similar salad with chick peas, only it also has red and yellow peppers – no cheese though, which I might have to change for next time!
Dawn in CA says on July 13 2009 at 1:33 pm:

I’d come to your blog just for the photos. Really, so beautiful. I hope you enjoy your trip to the wine country. I’m sure this suggestion will arrive too late, but there is a small winery called Judd’s Hill that makes fantastic reds. We were lucky enough to be invited to a private tasting and lunch with the owners years ago. They are a charming couple, and their wines are just delicious. JH hosts wine tastings by appointment, not sure if they charge or not, but even if they do, the wonderful wine is worth the price.
Johanna says on July 17 2009 at 3:10 am:

This was delicious! Feta and celery made a fantastic combination. Maybe I’ll add some garlic next time, hmm …