Layered Mediterranean Salad Food

MEDITERRANEAN LAYERED SALAD

Steps:

• In small bowl, stir all dressing ingredients together with whisk until well blended.
• Arrange lettuce on large serving platter. Drizzle with 3 tablespoons of the dressing. Place small dollops of hummus evenly over lettuce. Layer tomatoes, cucumbers, artichoke hearts, onion, olives and feta cheese on top of hummus. Serve with remaining dressing.

GREEK SALAD LAYERED DIP

Steps:

• Grate the cucumber on the large holes of a box grater into a bowl. Toss with 1/4 teaspoon salt and pour into a fine-mesh sieve set over a bowl. Let stand for 10 minutes. Using your hands and working with a bit of the cucumber at a time, squeeze the excess liquid out of the cucumber and place the cucumber in a large bowl. Add the yogurt, feta, garlic, 1/4 cup of the chopped mint, 1/4 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon pepper to the bowl with the cucumber. Stir to combine and add more salt and pepper to taste. Transfer to a shallow serving bowl.
• Toss the tomatoes, red onion, olives and remaining 2 tablespoons mint together in a medium bowl. Sprinkle the mixture over the cucumber mixture. Serve the dip with warm pita or vegetable chips.

LAYERED MEDITERRANEAN SALAD

Steps:

• Make the cucumber layer: Drain the yogurt in a coffee filter-lined sieve set over a bowl for 1 hour.
• Put the cucumber in another sieve, sprinkle it with the salt, and let it drain for 1 hour.
• Pat the cucumber dry between paper towels and transfer it to a bowl.
• Stir in the yogurt, garlic, and salt and pepper, to taste, and combine the mixture well.
• Set aside Make the bean layer: Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat.
• Add the onion, garlic, oregano, and cook, stirring, until softened.
• Add the wine and simmer until reduced by 1/2.
• In a food processor, puree the beans and the onion mixture with the broth and season with salt and pepper.
• Transfer the mixture to a bowl and chill.
• Make the tuna layer: In a bowl toss together the tuna, onion, olives, parsley, vinegar and olive oil.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• Assemble the salad: Spread the bean puree in the bottom of a trifle bowl, top with the tuna mixture, and spoon the cucumber mixture over the top.
• Chill covered, for at least 3 hours or overnight.
• When ready to serve, sprinkle the top with the garnish and serve.
• From Gourmet (via Sara Moulton).

LAYERED GREEK SALAD

Steps:

• Cut the tomatoes into segments and layer them into a dish or salad bowl.
• Sprinkle liberally with oregano and black pepper.
• Sprinkle with a tablespoon or so of salad dressing.
• Slice the cucumber and quarter the slices, and place on top of the tomatoes.
• Slice half the black olives and place them on top of the cucumber.
• Slice the green onions and put them on next.
• Slice then quarter the zucchini and add it.
• Slice and add the remaining olives.
• Sprinkle with oregano.
• Add the feta cheese to taste.
• Sprinkle more salad dressing on top.

LAYERED MEDITERRANEAN LOAF

Steps:

• Combine the first 4 ingredients in a medium bowl.
• Cut the loaf in half horizontally.
• Leaving a 1-inch border, scoop out a 1/2-inch layer from the inside of each half.
• Spread the salsa mixture evenly over both halves, including border.
• On the bottom half, layer half the cheese, all of the beef, and top with remaining cheese.
• Pack filling down slightly.
• Carefully invert the top half onto the bottom half.
• Press down firmly on the loaf and wrap tightly in plastic wrap.
• Store the loaf in the refrigerator for 15 to 30 minutes (or overnight) between 2 plates with something heavy on top to keep the loaf flattened.
• Serve sliced in wedges with your favourite salad or to serve warm, wrap in foil and place in preheated 300 degree oven for 15 to 30 minutes until cheese melts.