Grilled Cucumbers With Tomato Cardamom Dressing And Mozzarella Recipes

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.

TOMATO-CUCUMBER MOZZARELLA SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine tomatoes, cucumber, green pepper, onions, olives, parsley and basil. In a small bowl, whisk oil, vinegars, sugar, salt, oregano and pepper. Pour over salad; toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate for at least 15 minutes. Just before serving, toss in cheese. 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).