Greek Lemon Rice

INGREDIENTS

• 2 cups long grain rice (uncooked)
•  extra virgin olive oil
• 1 medium yellow onion, chopped (just over 1 cup chopped onions)
• 1 garlic clove, minced
• 1/2 cup orzo pasta
• 2 lemons, juice of (PLUS zest of 1 lemon)
• 2 cups low sodium broth (chicken or vegetable broth will work)
• Pinch salt
• Large handful chopped fresh parsley
• 1 tsp dill weed (dry dill)
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• Wash rice well and then soak it for about 15 to 20 minutes in plenty of cold water (enough to cover the rice by 1 inch). You should be able to easily break a grain of rice by simply placing it between your thumb and index finger. Drain well.

1. Heat about 3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil in a large sauce pan with a lid (like this one) until oil is shimmering but not smoking.  Add onions and cook for about 3 to 4 minutes until translucent. Add garlic and orzo pasta. Toss around for a bit until the orzo has gained some color then stir in the rice. Toss to coat.
2. Now add lemon juice and broth. Bring liquid to a rolling boil (it should reduce a little), then turn heat to low. Cover and let cook for about 20 minutes or until rice is done (liquid should be fully absorbed and rice should be tender but not sticky.)
3. Remove rice from heat. For best results, leave it covered and do not disturb rice for about 10 minutes or so.
4. Uncover and stir in parsley, dill weed and lemon zest. If you like, add a few slices of lemon on top for garnish. Enjoy!

NOTES:

The flavor was delicious but the texture was too mushy.  Next time just try a regular rice method.

Use more than a pinch of salt.

I served it with tikka masala.

Source - https://www.themediterraneandish.com/greek-lemon-rice-recipe/

Greek Chicken Kebobs

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• 1 3/4 lbs bonless skinless chicken breasts , diced into 1 1/4-inch cubes
• 1/4 cup + 2 Tbsp olive oil , divided, plus more for grill
• 3 Tbsp fresh lemon juice
• 1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
• 3 cloves garlic , minced
• 2 tsp dried oregano
• 1/2 tsp dried basil
• 1/2 tsp dried thyme
• 1/2 tsp ground coriander
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper
• 2 large red bell peppers , diced into 1 1/4-inch pieces
• 3 small zucchini (nearly 1 lb), sliced into rounds slightly under 1/2-inch thick
• 1 large red onion , diced into 1 1/4-inch wedges

1. In a bowl whisk together 1/4 cup olive oil, lemon juice, vinegar, garlic, oregano, basil, thyme, coriander and season with salt and pepper to taste (I used 3/4 tsp salt 1/4 tsp pepper). 
2. Place chicken in a gallon size resealable bag, pour olive oil mixture over chicken and press chicken into marinade. Seal bag and refrigerate 45 minutes to 2 hours (no longer than 2 hours or the chicken will start to get mealy because of the acidic ingredients). If using wooden skewers soak them in water for 30 minutes.
3. Drizzle and toss veggies with 2 Tbsp of the olive oil (I just left them on the cutting board and tossed them) and season lightly with salt.
4. Preheat a grill over medium-high heat. Thread a red bell pepper, red onion, zucchini, 2 chicken pieces on to skewer and repeat twice. Brush grill lightly with olive oil, place skewers on grill and grill until chicken registers 165°F (73°C) in center, about 7 - 9 minutes, rotating once halfway through cooking. Garnish with parsley, serve warm with Tzatziki sauce.

   
   

   NOTES - I didn’t have coriander 

   
   

   https://www.cookingclassy.com/greek-chicken-kebabs-with-tzatziki-sauce/#jump-to-recipe

   
   

   
   

Chicken Shawarma

8 lbs boned, skinned chicken thighs

4-5 red onions

1.5 cups lemon juice

2 cups olive oil

4 tsp kosher salt

2 Tbs, 2 tsp pepper

2 Tbs, 2 tsp cumin

1 Tbsp red pepper flakes

1 tsp cinnamon

2 Tbsp minced garlic

Instructions

Mix marinade ingredients together, then add sliced or quartered onions and chicken. Put in ziplock bag and let marinate several hours or overnight.

Preheat the oven to 425.

Grease a shallow pan. Take the chicken and onions out of the marinade and spread it in a single layer on the pan. Cook for 45 minutes or more. 

Chop up the chicken a bit, if you like, and finish cooking it so it crisps up a bit more.

Serve chicken and onions with pita bread triangles, cucumbers, tomatoes, assorted olives, feta cheese, fresh parsley, pomegranates or grapes, fried eggplant, and yogurt sauce.

Easy and excellent!

I made about 5 lbs worth.

From Simcha Fisher

Tzatziki

½ English cucumber, halved

lengthwise

1 cup FAGE Total 5%, 2%, or 0%

1 garlic clove, minced or grated

1 tbsp minced fresh mint

1 tbsp minced fresh dill

Finely grated zest of 1 lemon

2 tbsp fresh lemon juice

½ tsp fine sea salt

Black pepper to taste 

STEPS
1.  Remove cucumber seeds with a small spoon and grate cucumber on the large holes of a box grater.
2.  In a medium bowl combine grated cucumber, FAGE Total, garlic, mint, dill, lemon zest and juice, salt, and pepper and stir to combine.
3.  To Serve: Serve tzatziki with pita. Store any leftovers refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

Mediterranean Quinoa Salad

Salad

• 1 cup quinoa
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 1/2 cups water
• 2 diced tomatoes
• 1 cup diced bell peppers
• 1 cup diced cucumber
• 1 cup chopped kalamata olives
• 1/4 cup chopped green onion

For the Lemon Oregano Dressing

• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tbsp honey
• juice and finely minced zest of one lemon
• 2 tbsp chopped fresh oregano (or 1 tbsp dried oregano)
• 1/2 tsp kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp black pepper

Instructions

• Bring the water, salt and quinoa to a boil over low heat.
• Cover and simmer slowly for 15 to 20 minutes until the grains are cooked but still a little firm to the bite.
• Remove from heat and add the tomatoes, peppers, cucumber, olives and green onion.
• Toss everything together with the Lemon Oregano Dressing.
• For the Lemon Oregano Dressing
• Whisk together the olive oil, honey, lemon zest, oregano, salt and pepper.
• Pour over the salad while warm and toss very well.

NOTES:

• Healthy, easy, good for several days, uses garden ingredients I have now.
• I got this recipe from Deb L.  She added cubed avocado and really liked it.
• Source

Creamy Dilled Cucumber Salad

1 large cucumber (sliced)
1/4 cup red onion (sliced)
1/4 cup sour cream
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
1 handful dill (chopped)
salt and pepper to taste

Mix everything and chill.

NOTES:

• This is 4-5 servings.
• Very mild flavor (You could add a little garlic, salt and pepper to make it a little more like tzatziki, or even change out the sour cream/lemon juice for some Greek yogurt.)
• I used about a teaspoon or so of dill weed instead of fresh, but fresh would be better.
• Red onion is not essential ( I used a yellow.)
• Good, easy, super fast to throw together.

Pita Pizzas

4 6-inch pita breads

1/2 cup hummus

1 cup crumbled feta (4 ounces)

1 small onion, sliced

2 cups fresh sliced spinach

1 tomato, seeded and chopped.

1/4 c sliced olives

• Heat oven to 400 degrees.
• Spread hummus on breads and sprinkle with cheese.
• Bake 8-10 minutes or until cheese in melted.
• Top each pizza with vegetables.

Hummus

4 garlic cloves, minced and then mashed

2 15-oz cans of garbanzo beans (chickpeas), drained and rinsed

2/3 cup of tahini (roasted, not raw)

1/3 cup freshly squeezed lemon juice

1/2 cup water

1/4 cup olive oil

1/2 teaspoon of salt

Pine nuts (toasted) and parsley (chopped) for garnish

• In a food processor, combine the mashed garlic, garbanzo beans, tahini, lemon juice, 1/2 cup water, and olive oil. Process until smooth. Add salt, starting at a half a teaspoon, to taste.
• Spoon into serving dish and sprinkle with toasted pine nuts and chopped parsley.
• Serve with crackers, raw dip vegetables such as carrots or celery, or with pita bread. You can cut the pita bread into thin triangles, brush with olive oil and toast for 10 minutes in a 400°F oven to make pita chips with which to serve the hummus.
• Makes about 3 cups.

NOTES: I didn't have tahini or pine nuts, but I did toast about 1/3 cup of sesame seeds and puree them in. It definitely changes the flavor, so less (or none) would also work well.

Spanakopita

Adapted from this recipe.

1/2 stick butter
1 10oz package frozen spinach
1 scant cup crumbled feta
1/2 teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
12 (14- by 9-inch) phyllo sheets, thawed
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Thaw spinach by placing in a skillet over low heat, separating as it thaws. Cook for a minute or two more to remove excess water. Remove from heat and cool. Transfer to a bowl and stir in feta, nutmeg, 1/2 teaspoon salt, and 1/2 teaspoon pepper.

Preheat oven to 375°F.

Melt butter, then cool.

Cover phyllo stack with 2 overlapping sheets of plastic wrap and then a dampened kitchen towel.

Take 1 phyllo sheet from stack and arrange on a work surface with a short side nearest you (keeping remaining sheets covered) and brush with some butter. Top with another phyllo sheet and brush with more butter. Cut buttered phyllo stack in half lengthwise.

Put a scant tablespoon of filling near 1 corner of a strip on end nearest you, then fold corner of phyllo over to enclose filling and form a triangle. Continue folding strip (like a flag), maintaining triangle shape. Put triangle, seam side down, on a large baking sheet and brush top with butter. Make more triangles in same manner, using all of phyllo.

Bake triangles in middle of oven until golden brown, 15 to 20 minutes.

Note: Pastry triangles can be formed, but not baked, 3 days ahead. Arrange in 1 layer in heavy-dty sealed plastic bags, then freeze. Bake frozen pastries(do not thaw) in same manner as above.

Greek Pizza

1/4 cup olive oil
2 cups onion, chopped
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 10 oz. packages frozen spinach(or less), thawed and squeezed dry
1/2 cup fresh basil, chopped
2 Tbsp. fresh oregano, chopped
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 teaspoon ground black pepper
20 sheets fillo dough
1/2 cup butter, melted
4 cups (1 pound) mozzarella cheese, grated
3 medium tomatoes, sliced thin

2 cups feta cheese, crumbled
1 cup bread crumbs

In large skillet, heat oil over medium heat. Add onion and garlic. Sauté for 5 minutes or until onions are translucent. Add spinach and sauté until all excess moisture has evaporated. Add basil, oregano, lemon juice and pepper. Mix well. Cool slightly.

Prepare fillo pizza crust:

Use 10 sheets of fillo dough, brushing each with melted butter, margarine, oil or vegetable spray. Use 1/4 cup butter. Repeat this step. Place length of fillo across width of greased 15” x 10” x 1” cookie sheet or baking pan. Overlap each set of 10 buttered fillo sheets 5 inches at center. Roll overlapping fillo onto itself on cookie sheet to form “pizza crust.” Brush top layer with melted butter or olive oil.

Spread spinach mixture on prepared fillo sheets. Top spinach with 1/2 of mozzarella. Dredge tomatoes in bread crumbs and arrange on top of mozzarella. Top with remaining mozzarella and feta cheese.

Bake in preheated 400°F oven for 25-30 minutes or until golden brown.
Serves 12

Source: www.thatsmyhome.com

NOTE: This serves nicely. To make appetizers, simply arrange the tomatoes closer (so there's one in the center of each piece) and cut smaller. Diamond shaped would be nice.