Tapas, Part 1. (Chick-Peas and Spinach)

Ingredients

10 ounces fresh spinach leaves, rinsed, or 1 (10-ounce) package frozen leaf spinach

19-ounce can (2 cups) chick-peas, drained and rinsed

1 red bell pepper, finely diced

1 tablespoon snipped fresh chives

1 to 2 lemons, juiced or to taste

1/4 to 1/3 cup extra virgin olive oil

Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Directions

If using fresh spinach: Cook the spinach in a saucepan with the water clinging to its leaves, stirring, until wilted. Drain, squeeze dry, and finely chop. If using frozen spinach, follow package directions, drain, squeeze dry, and finely chop.

In a bowl combine the spinach with the chick peas, pepper, chives, lemon juice, oil, salt, and pepper. Serve as is or chilled with toasted bread or as a filling for pita pockets.

Parley

My personal little trick with this one was to totally & completely forget one of the ingredients....yeah, reading isn't my strong suit. Kinda forgot the lemon juice. And I really think that would have helped. But this actually did taste pretty good if you like chick peas. (In fact, I'd say that this tasted about 4,000 times better than spicy chicken livers.)