In a food processor, puree chickpeas, tahini, garlic, lemon juice, and 1 TBSP olive oil. If necessary thin with water or lemon juice to taste. Season with salt and cayenne pepper, to taste. Chill for at least 1 hour.
Spoon hummus into a serving bowl and drizzle with 1-2 TBSP olive oil and top with Kalamata olives.
1 English cucumber, partially peeled into a striped pattern, sliced
1 green bell pepper, cored and sliced
Salt to taste
1/2 c. Kalamata olives
7 oz. Feta block, sliced
1/3 c. high quality olive oil
1-2 TBSP red wine vinegar
1 1/2 tsp. dried oregano
Directions:
Prep vegetables.
On your serving platter, drizzle with half the olive oil. Add the onions, tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers, and sprinkle with salt. Add the olives and top with the feta. Then drizzle remaining olive oil and vinegar and sprinkle the top with oregano.
In a medium bowl, combine olive oil through pepper. Add 1 inch chicken cubes to marinade and toss to combine. Marinate for at least 2 hours or overnight.
Preheat grill to medium or 350F. Preheat oven to 350F.
Thread chicken onto skewers.
Add skewers to grill and turn occasionally until chicken has grill marks. Transfer to oven for 15 minutes or until completely cooked through.
Mini cucumbers, chopped (about 1 1/2 c. chopped cucumber)
1/3 c. green onions, chopped
20 Kalamata olives, sliced into thin rounds (about 1/2 c.)
1/2 c. chopped flat-leaf parsley
5 c. lightly packed arugula
1/2 c. feta cheese, crumbled
Dressing:
1/3 c. olive oil
1/4 c. lemon juice
2-3 tsp. honey or maple syrup
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Directions:
Quinoa: Cook rinsed quinoa in salted water/broth according to package. Set aside to cool
Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, garlic, oregano, salt, red pepper flakes and pepper until emulsified (or put in a jar with lid and shake to combine).
Salad: In a large serving bowl and the cooled quinoa and then add the chickpeas through arugula and toss to combine; then add the dressing and toss to combine and top with the feta.
Shredded mozzarella, gouda, or gruyere cheese, optional
4 croissants
Directions:
Preheat the oven to 350 °F.
Make the filling: Add the onion, olive oil, and a pinch of salt to a skillet and cook over medium-heat until soft and golden. About 8 minutes.
Add the garlic and warm through until fragrant. Add the scallions and cook for 2-3 minutes until softened then add the spinach in a few batches along with salt and pepper (easy on the salt). Cook the spinach over high heat so that the liquid released can evaporate.
Remove from heat and add the dill and cream cheese. Mix until the cream cheese is incorporated and then add the feta and mix until incorporated. Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary.
Slice the croissants in half lengthwise and place the bottoms on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
Divide the filling equally amongst the croissants and top with shredded mozzarella cheese.
Bake for 10 minutes or until the cheese melts. Add the tops and warm through 3-4 minutes until toasted.
Serve with a Mediterranean salad: cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, feta cheese, olives, etc. with Garlic Expressions dressing
Directions:
Caramelize Onions: Heat up to 1/4 c. of olive oil in a saute pan over medium heat; then add the onions and saute until caramelized. Add more olive oil, if necessary. Once caramelized, season with salt, to taste. Remove onions from saute pan.
Rice: In the saucepan over medium heat, add the 2 TBSP of olive oil, cumin seeds, and coriander and cook for a couple of minutes until the spices are fragrant; then add the rice and stir to coat with the oil and spices; then add the water and lentils.
When it comes to boil, add the turmeric, cinnamon, sugar, salt, and pepper; and then turn the heat down to medium-low, cover with lid and let cook for 10 to 12 minutes, or until all the liquid has mostly been absorbed.
Remove from heat and let it rest for 10 minutes – during this time, any residual liquid will absorb.
Fluff rice with a fork and adjust the seasoning with more salt if you wish. Add the caramelized onions and toss to combine.
Serve over quinoa, top with Mediterranean Salad and tzatziki
Mediterranean Salad:
1/4 c. fresh mint, chopped
3 TBSP olive oil
3 TBSP lemon juice
1 TBSP plain Greek yogurt
1 TBSP honey
2-3 mini cucumbers, chopped
1 c. cherry tomatoes, halved
1/4 red onion, minced
Salt, to taste
Kalamata olives, to taste
Directions:
Mediterranean Salad: Whisk mint, oil, lemon juice, yogurt, and honey together in medium bowl. Add cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onion and gently toss to coat. Taste and add salt, if desired. Sprinkle with olives and refrigerate until needed.
Falafel Patties: Process cilantro, onion, coriander, cumin, salt, baking powder, and cayenne in food processor for 5 seconds. Scrape down sides of bowl. Continue to process until mixture resembles pesto, about 5 seconds longer. Add egg and process for 5 seconds. Add chickpeas and pulse 4 times. Scrape down sides of bowl. Continue to pulse until chickpeas are coarsely chopped, about 4 more pulses.
Transfer mixture to large bowl. Add flour and, using rubber spatula, mix until fully incorporated. Spray rimmed baking sheet with vegetable oil spray. Using ½ c. measure, drop 6 even portions (about scant ½ c. each) onto prepared sheet and gently shape into patties about 3-inches in diameter.
Line cutting board with single layer of paper towels. Heat oil in 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat until shimmering. Using thin spatula, transfer patties to skillet. Cook for 5 minutes, then flip the patties over and cook for 4 minutes until browned on both sides and reaches 185F internal temperature.
Transfer patties to prepared board. Serve over quinoa and top with Mediterranean Salad and tzatziki.
Mini cucumbers, chopped (about 1 1/2 c. chopped cucumber)
12 oz. jar of sliced roasted red bell peppers
20 Kalamata olives, sliced into thin rounds (about 1/2 c.)
1/2 c. feta cheese, crumbled
1/2 c. chopped flat-leaf parsley
Dressing:
1/3 c. olive oil
1/4 c. lemon juice
2-3 tsp. honey or maple syrup
2 garlic cloves, pressed
1/2 tsp. dried oregano
1/2 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. red pepper flakes
Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Directions:
To cook the farro on the stovetop: In a medium saucepan, combine the rinsed farro with at least three c. water (enough water to cover the farro by a couple of inches). Bring the water to a boil, then reduce heat to a gentle simmer. Cook, stirring occasionally, until the farro is tender to the bite but still pleasantly chewy (pearled farro will take around 15 minutes; unprocessed farro will take 25 to 40 minutes). Drain off the excess water and add to large serving bowl to cool. Stir in 1/4 teaspoon salt and a little splash of the dressing. Set aside for just a few minutes to cool.
To cook the farro in the Instant Pot: Add the rinsed farro and 2 c. of water to the Instant Pot; then seal and set to 10 minutes. Once done cooking allow natural release for 5 minutes. Then open the Instant Pot, stir to fluff and drain off the excess water and add to large serving bowl to cool. Stir in 1/4 teaspoon salt and a little splash of the dressing. Set aside for just a few minutes to cool.
Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, honey, garlic, oregano, salt, red pepper flakes and pepper until emulsified.
Salad: Once the farro is cooled add the arugula, chickpeas, cucumber, peppers, olives, and parsley to the bowl with the farro.
Drizzle in the remaining dressing and toss to combine. Add the feta, toss again, and season to taste with additional salt and pepper.
1 bunch green onions thinly sliced, 1/2 c. dark green tops reserved (about 8-10 green onions)
8-10 oz. baby spinach
1 c. basmati rice (or other long grain white rice or parboiled rice)
2 c. vegetable broth, water, or chicken broth
1/2 tsp. salt plus more if needed
1/4 c. fresh chopped dill (can also use mint, parsley, or a combination)
Juice and zest of 1 lemon (about 1 tsp. zest and 2 TBSP juice)
Crumbled feta cheese and chopped fresh herbs/green onions for serving
Directions:
In a large heavy pot or Dutch oven, heat the olive oil. Add the sliced green onions (reserve 1/2 c. of the dark green tops) and sauté until soft, about 2 minutes. Add the baby spinach and sauté until wilted, about 2 minutes.
Add the basmati rice and stir to coat. Pour in the vegetable broth and add the kosher salt. Bring to a boil, stir once, cover, and simmer on low for about 15 minutes (or until rice is cooked – you should see holes in the top, and if you tilt the pot you should no longer see any water pooling).
Stir in the fresh chopped dill or other herbs, the lemon zest, and lemon juice, and the reserved sliced green onions (keep some out for garnish if you like).
Season to taste with salt, and serve garnished with crumbled feta cheese and reserved green onions, if desired.
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