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Israeli Salad
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Israeli Salad

Maya’s Note: Try to find small Persian cucumbers, as they are juicier and have a more concentrated flavor than the common “jet-puffed” supermarket cucumbers.

David’s Note: Maya calls for either cilantro or parsley, you could take it in a different direction perhaps with some fresh mint, chives, or a bit of tarragon. I’ve had salads like this in Greece, and other Middle Eastern countries (and even in America) where the locals adopt the idea and name it after their own country. Of course, this salad can be scaled up accordingly, to feed a larger group.

Course: Salad, Others

Ingredients

  • 1 tomato ripe
  • 1 cucumber or 3 small ones, medium
  • 1 carrot peeled, medium
  • 2-3 tablespoons onion red, finely chopped
  • 5 radishes red globe
  • beet peeled, half a small
  • kohlrabi peeled, half a small
  • arugula lettuce can be substituted, large handful
  • 1/4 cup flat-leaf parsley finely chopped, or cilantro
  • 2/3 cup nuts such as walnuts, sliced almonds, pine nuts, pumpkin and/or sunflower seeds - coarsely chopped, mixed
  • 2/3 cup seeds such as walnuts, sliced almonds, pine nuts, pumpkin and/or sunflower seeds - coarsely chopped, mixed
  • 1/3 cup feta cheese crumbled, or firm goat cheese
  • 2-3 tablespoons lemon juice or more, freshly squeezed
  • 2-3 tablespoons olive oil or more, good quality, extra virgin
  • salt sea salt and freshly ground
  • black pepper sea salt and freshly ground

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Chop all of the vegetables into the tiniest cubes you can manage. Preferably 1/4 inch thick (or Brunoise, as the French call it). Gather the arugula into a tight bunch and slice into thin shards. This makes the salad fluffier and easier to chew.
  2. Toast the nuts in an empty skillet (no oil required) over medium heat, stirring or shaking the pan frequently, taking care not to burn them (watch out for pumpkin seeds, as they tend to ‘pop’ while toasting). Toast until the aroma is released and the nuts take on the slightest bit of color. Remove from heat and let cool.
  3. In a medium bowl, mix all of the chopped vegetables with sliced arugula, toasted nuts, and dress with the lemon juice, olive oil, adding salt and pepper to taste (don’t forget that the cheese is salty).
  4. Check for seasoning and add more lemon juice and olive oil to your liking. Top with the crumbled cheese and serve immediately.