Greek Confetti Salad Food

MEDITERRANEAN ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Make the dressing: Combine the olive oil, lemon juice, garlic and a pinch each of salt and pepper in a jar. Shake well.
• Make the salad: Bring a pot of water to a boil. Add the orzo and cook as the label directs. Drain and let cool.
• Combine the orzo, chickpeas, red and yellow tomatoes, olives, feta, parsley and red onion in a large mixing bowl and pour the dressing over the top; stir to combine. Taste and add salt and pepper, if needed. Refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving. Top with more feta and parsley.

GREEK SALAD

Steps:

• Place the cucumber, peppers, tomatoes and red onion in a large bowl.
• For the vinaigrette, whisk together the garlic, oregano, mustard, vinegar, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Still whisking, slowly add the olive oil to make an emulsion. Pour the vinaigrette over the vegetables. Add the feta and olives and toss lightly. Set aside for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend. Serve at room temperature.

CONFETTI BEET SALAD

Steps:

• Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl.
• Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Chill for at least two hours before serving, garnished with a little extra parsley or coriander if you have it on hand.

GREEK ORZO SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain. Drain artichoke hearts, reserving liquid.
• In large bowl combine pasta, artichoke hearts, tomato, cucumber, onion, feta, olives, parsley, lemon juice, oregano and lemon pepper. Toss and chill for 1 hour in refrigerator.
• Just before serving, drizzle reserved artichoke marinade over salad.

ZESTY CONFETTI SALAD WITH QUINOA

Steps:

• Rinse quinoa well. Combine with 3/4 cup water in small saucepan. Bring to a boil. Cover, reduce heat and simmer 15-20 minutes or until water is absorbed and holes have formed in surface of quinoa. Remove from heat and cool to room temperature or cooler.
• Dry toast pepitas by putting them in a large skillet or frying pan and shaking over high heat until they begin to pop and "dance". Remove from heat.
• In food processor, combine pepitas, cilantro, lime juice, orange juice concentrate, olive oil, chili powder, cumin and salt. Blitz until a rough paste forms. (It looks a little funny at this stage--don't worry!).
• In a very large bowl, combine veggies, quinoa and sesame seeds and toss. Add citrus-pepita dressing and mix well to coat. Chill at least one hour; overnight is ideal.

INA GARTEN'S GREEK SALAD

Steps:

• Place the cucumber, peppers, tomatoes and red onion in a large bowl.
• For the vinaigrette, whisk together the garlic, oregano, mustard, vinegar, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Still whisking, slowly add the olive oil to make an emulsion.
• Pour the vinaigrette over the vegetables.
• Add the feta and olives and toss lightly.
• Set aside for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend. Serve at room temperature.
• Tips from me:
• To reduce the sharpness of the onion, soak the sliced onion in ice cold water for 30 minutes and pat with paper towels to dry, before adding to salad.
• To cut down on prep time, place a single layer of cherry/grape tomatoes between two Tupperware lids (or flat plates, etc.) and slice through all of them at once, using a sharp knife.