Grilled Cucumbers With Tomato Cardamom Dressing And Mozzarella Food

GRILLED CHICKEN WITH TOMATO-CUCUMBER SALAD

Steps:

• Smash the garlic clove, sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of salt and with the flat side of a large knife, mash and smear to a coarse paste. Put the garlic paste in a large bowl and stir in the olive oil and lemon juice. Add the tomatoes, cucumber, pepperoncini, and dill and toss. Give a couple of generous grinds of black pepper. Toss again, and set aside.
• Preheat a grill pan or nonstick skillet to medium high. Spray the chicken paillards lightly with the olive oil and season with salt and black pepper. Grill the chicken, in batches if necessary, to avoid crowding the pan, turning once, until cooked through, about 2 minutes per side. Place each paillard on a plate and serve topped with the tomato-cucumber salad.

GRILLED CUCUMBERS WITH TOMATO-CARDAMOM DRESSING AND MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• Start with the dressing: Add the tomatoes, oil, garlic, miso, bay leaves, cardamom shells and seeds, paprika and a heaping ¼ teaspoon salt to a large (lidded) sauté pan. Place over medium-high heat, give everything a good stir and leave it, uncovered, until it starts to bubble gently.
• Once bubbling, turn the heat down to medium-low, cover with the lid and cook gently for 15 minutes, stirring once, until the tomatoes have burst and start to release their juices. Turn down the heat if necessary; you want the garlic to soften without taking on color, and you want the tomatoes to not completely disintegrate. Stir in the lime juice and set aside.
• Heat a grill pan over high, and ventilate your kitchen well.
• Halve the cucumbers lengthwise then use a small spoon to scrape out and discard the seeds. Slice each halved cucumber lengthwise into 2 equal pieces, then transfer the cucumber quarters to a bowl and toss with the oil, ½ teaspoon salt and a good grind of pepper. When the grill pan is very hot, grill them in batches, cut sides down, for 2 to 3 minutes, then flip them over and grill for 1 to 2 minutes more. You want nice grill marks and for the cucumbers to soften but still retain a bite. (You don't want any floppy cucumbers.) As they're ready, immediately transfer to the tomato pan, stirring to coat in the dressing.
• Once they're all grilled, stir the cilantro into the pan and transfer the mixture to a large serving platter with a lip. Sprinkle on the torn mozzarella, along with a good pinch of salt, and tuck the cheese under the cucumbers in places. You can serve this dish hot or at room temperature.

CUCUMBER SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk together buttermilk, yogurt, lemon juice, poppy seeds, salt and pepper.
• Add cucumbers and scallions and toss to combine. Salad can be made up to 4 hours ahead. Refrigerate until ready to serve.

TOMATO CUCUMBER SALAD WITH MOZZARELLA

Steps:

• In a large resealable plastic bag, combine the tomatoes, cucumber and cheese. Add dressing; seal bag and turn to coat. Refrigerate for at least 15 minutes. Serve with a slotted spoon.

TOMATO, CUCUMBER & MOZZARELLA SALAD

Steps:

• Combine 1st 5 ingredients and toss.
• Mix oil& vinegar, add seasoning and whisk thoroughly.
• Pour over salad.
• Drain& set aside dressing that runs off.
• (If preparing Grilled Stuffed Chicken with this salad - the remainder can be used as the marinade).