30 Minute Grilled Chicken Thighs With Watermelon And Feta Salad Food

CUBED WATERMELON, CUCUMBER AND FETA SALAD

Steps:

• To cube the cucumber: Cut the ends off the cucumber. Then thinly slice off all four long sides of the cucumber so that it resembles a long rectangle. Cut into thirteen 1-inch cubes. (Reserve the remaining cucumber for another use.)
• To cube the watermelon: Cut off the ends. Cut the watermelon into 1-inch round slices. Use a cucumber cube as a guide to cut the watermelon into thirteen 1-inch cubes. (Discard the rind and reserve the remaining watermelon for another use.)
• To cube the feta: Cut into four 1-inch cubes using a cucumber cube as a guide.
• To build the salad, make the bottom layer: Arrange 3 cubes across the top of a serving platter and then 5 cubes down, alternating cucumber and watermelon cubes (you should have something that resembles the number "7"). Fill in the "7" to make a 3-by-5-inch rectangle by alternating cucumber and watermelon cubes to create a checkerboard pattern. Occasionally swap out a cube of cucumber or watermelon with a cube of feta to integrate the 4 cubes into the pattern. There should be 15 cubes. To build the top layer, repeat the checkerboard pattern with the remaining 15 cucumber and watermelon cubes making sure that all the feta cubes are covered and every bottom cucumber cube is topped with a watermelon cube and vice versa.
• Drizzle the cubed salad with the oil and then sprinkle with the pepper, basil and mint leaves.

GRILLED CHICKEN THIGHS WITH ISRAELI COUSCOUS SALAD

Steps:

• For the chicken: Add the olive oil, oregano, chicken and garlic to a large resealable plastic bag. Finely grate the zest of 1 lemon and add it to the bag; add the juice of both lemons to the bag. Seal the bag tightly and use your hands to vigorously massage the marinade into the chicken, making sure that the chicken is evenly coated. Marinate at room temperature while you make the couscous.
• Prepare a grill for medium-high heat.
• For the couscous: Heat a skillet over medium-high heat and toast the almonds, tossing occasionally, until lightly toasted. Set aside.
• Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add the couscous and cook, stirring occasionally, until toasted, about 3 minutes. Add the ginger and garlic and cook, stirring, about 1 minute. Add 2 1/4 cups water, the raisins and 1 teaspoon salt. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce the heat to low and cook until all the water has been absorbed and the couscous is tender, about 12 minutes. Transfer the couscous to a large bowl and stir with a fork to break up any clumps and release excess steam. Set aside.
• Remove the chicken from the marinade and place on a platter. Lightly oil the grill grates. Sprinkle the chicken liberally with salt and pepper and arrange the pieces skin-side down on the grill, leaving some space between the pieces. Cook until the skin is lightly charred and releases itself from the grill, about 3 minutes. Rotate the chicken about 90 degrees so that the skin won't burn and cook another 3 minutes. Flip and cook for an additional 5 minutes. Cover the grill and cook until an instant-read thermometer inserted in the deepest part of each chicken thigh reads 165 degrees F, about 10 minutes. Transfer to a platter and rest for at least 5 minutes before serving.
• While the chicken rests, add the remaining 3 tablespoons oil, the almonds, feta, olives, parsley, 1/2 teaspoon salt and some ground black pepper to the couscous. Finely grate the zest of 1 lemon and add it to the couscous; squeeze the juice from both lemons into the couscous and toss to combine.
• Divide the couscous and chicken thighs among 6 plates and serve immediately.
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