Feta Olive Preserved Lemon Grain Salad Recipes

GRAIN SALAD WITH OLIVES AND WHOLE-LEMON VINAIGRETTE

Steps:

• Cook farro in a large wide pot over medium heat, stirring often, until golden brown and toasted (it should start to smell like popcorn), about 4 minutes. Remove pot from heat and pour in cold water to cover grains by 1"; throw in a generous amount of salt (a healthy handful should do it). Set pot over medium-high heat and bring water to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer, skimming surface occasionally of any foam that may rise to the top, until grains are tender but still have some bite, 25-35 minutes. Drain and transfer farro to a large bowl.
• Meanwhile, using the side of a chef's knife, coarsely crush olives to break them up into large craggy pieces; discard pits. Place in a large bowl and add chopped lemon and shallots. Toss to combine; season with salt and pepper. Let mixture sit 5 minutes to allow shallots to slightly pickle and flavors to meld.
• Heat oil in a small saucepan over medium. Add olive mixture and cook, swirling occasionally, until ingredients are warmed through and shallots are slightly softened, about 4 minutes. Scrape vinaigrette into bowl with farro and toss to combine. Taste grain salad and season with salt, pepper, and a little lemon juice if you want.
• Just before you're ready to eat, fold herbs into salad.
• Do Ahead
• Grains can be cooked 1 day ahead; let cool, then cover and chill. Salad (without herbs) can be made 6 hours ahead; cover and chill.

FETA OLIVE SALAD

Steps:

• Place the feta in a large shallow bowl, add the onion, garlic, lemon zest, orange zest, cherry tomatoes, if using, green olives, and black olives. Toss lightly but thoroughly. Drizzle the olive oil over the salad and toss again. Add the fresh herbs, toss, and add several turns of black pepper. Arrange the lettuce leaves on 1 large or several individual plates and spoon the feta salad on top. Serve immediately.

MARINATED FETA WITH HERBS AND PEPPERCORNS

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, stir together the olive oil, parsley, preserved lemon, chile, oregano and peppercorns.
• Cut the feta into 1/2-inch cubes and add them to the olive oil mixture. Gently fold together until feta is evenly coated. Transfer to a jar or lidded container and drizzle with more olive oil, if needed to immerse the feta. Refrigerate for at least 24 hours.
• Remove from refrigerator at least 30 minutes before serving to allow solidified olive oil to return to liquid form. Serve with crackers or crostini, or spoon on top of seared fish, grilled or roasted vegetables, pasta or salad.

PRESERVED LEMON & TOMATO SALAD WITH FETA

Steps:

• Put the tomatoes, onion and lemon in a shallow bowl or platter. Crumble the feta over, drizzle with oil and lemon juice, and scatter over the herbs.
• Toss gently just before serving along with chunks of warm, crusty bread.

GRILLED ZUCCHINI AND BULGUR SALAD WITH FETA AND PRESERVED-LEMON DRESSING

Steps:

• Toast walnuts in a dry medium skillet over medium heat, tossing often, until golden brown, 8-10 minutes. Transfer to a cutting board and let cool. Coarsely chop.
• Wipe out skillet and toast bulgur, stirring often, until a shade darker and starting to smell like popcorn, about 3 minutes. Add ¼ tsp. salt and 2 cups water and bring to a boil. Reduce heat to low and simmer gently until liquid is almost completely evaporated, 8-10 minutes. Cover skillet and remove from heat. Let sit while you prepare the rest of the salad.
• Prepare a grill for high heat. (Or, heat a grill pan over high.) Trim ends of zucchini; slice lengthwise into long ¼"-thick planks. Set a wire rack inside a rimmed baking sheet and arrange zucchini in a single layer on rack (you can also do this in a large bowl if you don't have a wire rack). Drizzle with oil and season with salt. Toss zucchini, rubbing with your hands, to coat completely with oil.
• Grill zucchini, undisturbed, until grill marks appear, about 2 minutes. Turn over and grill on other side until grill marks appear, about 2 minutes. Return to wire rack (or a colander set in a bowl) to drain; let cool slightly, Transfer to a cutting board and slice on a diagonal into 1" pieces.
• Whisk preserved lemon paste, honey, garlic, and remaining ¼ cup oil in a large bowl to combine; season with pepper (lemon paste and feta should make it salty enough). Add bulgur and feta and toss to combine. Set some of zucchini, parsley, and mint aside for serving, then add remaining zucchini and herbs to salad; toss gently to combine. Taste and season with salt and pepper if needed.
• Transfer salad to a platter. Top with reserved zucchini and herbs. Scatter walnuts over. Serve salad with lemon wedges for squeezing over.