Moroccan Spinach Salad With Preserved Lemon And Olives Recipes

MOROCCAN SPINACH SALAD WITH PRESERVED LEMON AND OLIVES

Steps:

• Wash the spinach leaves very well several times in a large bowl of water. Drain thoroughly. Finely chop the spinach, place the leaves in a steamer, and steam over simmering water for 15 to 20 minutes, until the leaves darken and are tender. Squeeze out any excess liquid from the steamed leaves, and transfer the spinach to a skillet. Add the remaining ingredients (except for the olives), stir to mix, and saute over medium heat for 5 to 10 minutes, until the parsley is wilted and the flavors have blended. Adjust seasoning if desired. Serve warm or at room temperature, garnishing the salad with the olives and preserved lemon rinds.

MOROCCAN-SPICED LEMON DRESSING AND QUINOA-APRICOT -SPINACH SALAD

Steps:

• TO PREPARE THE DRESSING:.
• Whisk lemon juice, yogurt, honey, cumin, cinnamon and ginger in a small bowl until blended.
• Slowly whisk in oil so that the dressing becomes smooth and emulsified.
• Season with salt and pepper.
• TO PREPARE THE SALAD:.
• Toast quinoa in a dry skillet over medium heat, stirring often, until it becomes aromatic and begins to crackle, about 5 minutes. Transfer to a fine sieve and rinse thoroughly.
• Heat oil in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook, stirring constantly, until golden, about 1 minute. Add apricots and the quinoa; continue cooking, stirring often, until the quinoa has dried out and turned light golden, 3 to 4 minutes. Add water and salt; bring to a boil. Reduce heat to medium-low and simmer, uncovered, until the quinoa is tender and the liquid is absorbed, 15 to 18 minutes.
• Transfer the quinoa to a medium bowl and toss with 1/3 cup of the Moroccan-Spiced Lemon Dressing. Let cool for 10 minutes.
• Just before serving, add tomatoes and onion to the quinoa; toss to coat. Toss spinach with the remaining 1/3 cup dressing in a large bowl. Divide the spinach among 4 plates. Mound the quinoa salad on the spinach and sprinkle with almonds.
• SERVING SIZE = 2 cups spinach with approximately 1 cup quinoa mixture.
• MAKE AHEAD TIP: Prepare through Step 3. Cover and refrigerate the quinoa and dressing separately for up to 2 days.
• INGREDIENT NOTE: Quinoa is available in most natural-foods stores and the natural-foods sections of many supermarkets. Toasting this grain before simmering enhances its flavor.
• TO TOAST NUTS: Heat a small dry skillet over medium-low heat. Add nuts and cook, stirring, until lightly browned and fragrant, 2 to 3 minutes. Transfer to a bowl to cool.

MOROCCAN CARROT AND SPINACH SALAD

Steps:

• In a large saute pan, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil.
• Add the carrots, 2 tablespoons sugar, 1/2 cup lemon juice, and 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt.
• Cook the carrots until they just start softening.
• In another saute pan, heat 1 tablespoon olive oil.
• Add the spinach and cook just until wilted.
• Remove from the pan and chop roughly.
• In a large bowl, combine the cooked carrots, spinach, remaining 1 teaspoon sugar, cumin, garlic, orange juice, remaining lemon juice and remaining olive oil.
• Serve warm.