Agourontomatosalata Recipes

AMATRICIANA

Steps:

• Cook diced bacon in a large saucepan over medium high heat until crisp, about 5 minutes. Drain all but 2 tablespoons of drippings from the pan.
• Add onions, and cook over medium heat about 3 minutes. Stir in garlic and red pepper flakes; cook 30 seconds. Add canned tomatoes, undrained; simmer 10 minutes, breaking up tomatoes.
• Meanwhile, cook the pasta in a large pot of 4 quarts boiling salted water until al dente. Drain.
• Stir basil into the sauce, and then toss with cooked pasta. Serve with grated Parmesan cheese.

MELITZANOSALATA

Steps:

• To prepare yogurt: Line a colander or strainer with cheese cloth and set over a bowl. Bowl should support strainer without touching the bottom of the bowl. Put yogurt in the strainer and let drain overnight. Discard liquid and use strained yogurt according to recipe.
• Prepare a grill or broiler or heat an oven to 375 degrees F.
• Pierce eggplant with a fork. In an oven broiler or on a hot grill, cook eggplant, turning frequently to prevent burning, until skin becomes black and eggplant is soft, about 10 to 15 minutes. Remove eggplant from heat and cool on a wire rack over a baking sheet to catch juices. Eggplants may be baked for 45 minutes for similar results. When eggplant is cooled, peel off skin and coarsely chop. With paddle attachment in an electric mixer, add eggplant, tomatoes, onion and garlic, and mix on medium speed about 1 minute. Stop machine and add yogurt. Continue to mix at medium speed for another minute. With mixer running, slowly add vinegar and lemon juice. Continue mixing while slowly adding olive oil. Thin mixture with seltzer as needed until eggplant salad is the consistency of a loose paste. Add parsley, oregano, and salt and pepper to taste. Refrigerate overnight and serve.
• *method below.

MAROULOSALATA (GREEK ROMAINE SALAD)

Steps:

• Wash and dry romaine lettuce. Lay leaves on a cutting board and slice lengthwise across the leaves, shredding them into 1/4-inch strips.
• Transfer lettuce to a large bowl. Add scallions, dill, olive oil, vinegar, salt, and pepper; toss until well combined. Adjust oil, vinegar, and seasoning to taste.

AGOURONTOMATOSALATA

Steps:

• Peel tomatoes and cut into wedges, wash cucumber and core skin with the tines of fork (or you can peel completely) and cut into thin slices. Slice onion using some of the green tops, and then combine all the veggies with the oregano in a salad bowl.
• Mix together olive oil, lemon juice, salt and pepper, taste and adjust (if you like lots of tang you may want more lemon, more oil if you like it mild). Pour dressing over salad and gently toss to mix.
• Serve right away or let the salad and dressing mingle awhile - I like mine to sit for 15 minutes or so.