Creamy Greek Pasta Salad from twopeasandtheirpod.com

  • 1 lb pasta such as fusilli, penne, or farfalle
  • 1 1/4 cups plain Greek yogurt
  • 1 clove garlic, minced
  • 3 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon dried dill
  • 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano
  • 1 1/2 cups halved grape tomatoes
  • 1 seedless cucumber, chopped
  • 3/4 cup pitted kalamata olives, halved
  • 1/2 cup diced red onion
  • 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • Kosher salt and black pepper, to taste
  1. Cook pasta according to package directions.
  2. While the pasta is cooking, stir together the Greek yogurt, garlic, lemon juice, red wine vinegar, dill, and oregano in a large bowl.
  3. When the pasta is done cooking, drain and run cold water over the pasta. Drain completely and pour the pasta into the large bowl with the Greek yogurt mixture. Add the tomatoes, cucumber, olives, red onion, and feta cheese. Stir gently until ingredients are well coated. Season with salt and black pepper, to taste. You can add a little extra dill and lemon juice, if desired. Serve.

Miso Quinoa Pilaf with Grilled Cucumber, Eggplant, and Soy Dressing

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For the Pilaf

1 large English cucumber
2 small, long eggplants, about 5 to 6 inches or 1 slender long eggplant of a larger variety)
Olive oil for grilling
1 tablespoon unsalted butter
1 cup quinoa
1 cup 2 % milk
1 cup water
1 1/2 tablespoon white miso (we used barley miso, which is darker)
3tablespoons chopped cilantro

Prepare a medium gas or charcoal grill.

Trim ends off cucumber and eggplants. Slice eggplants in half lengthwise. Cut cucumber crosswise into thirds, then cut each piece in half lengthwise. Place vegetables in a baking pan and drizzle cut sides with olive oil, rubbing oil with your fingertip to cover the vegetables. Set aside until grill is hot.

While you are waiting for your grill to heat up, start your quinoa by melting butter in a small saucepan. Add quinoa and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly to toast the grains. After about 5 minutes, quinoa should start to pop and smell nutty (a few grains will turn golden brown). At this point, add milk and water, and whisk in miso. Cover pot and adjust heat to maintain a simmer. Cook for 17 to 20 minutes until grains are tender and liquid has been absorbed. Remove pot from heat.

Grill cucumber and eggplant pieces cut side down until lightly charred and tender, about 5 minutes for cucumber and 7 to 8 for eggplant. Flip and grill skin side down for 2 to 3 minutes more. Cucumber skin will start to wrinkle and eggplant flesh should yield easily when poked with a knife. Transfer to a cutting board and let cool slightly. Slice cucumbers and eggplants crosswise into half moons.

Fluff quinoa and transfer to a large mixing bowl. Add sliced cucumber, eggplant, and half of the cilantro. Whisk or shake dressing to re-emulsify and add to taste (note that tamari and miso can both vary widely in saltiness, so dress sparingly at first, then add more as you like). I use about half of the dressing. Using a spatula or wooden spoon, gently fold to combine components of pilaf. Taste and add more dressing if desired. Transfer to a serving platter. Sprinkle with remaining cilantro. Serve warm or at room temperature. Pilaf is also delicious cold, the next day. Enjoy! Serves 4 to 6 as a side

For the Soy Dressing

1/4 cup gluten-free tamari
1/4 cup balsamic vinegar
Juice from 1/2 an orange (about 1/4 cup)
1/4 cup canola oil

Combine tamari and vinegar in a small saucepan. Bring mixture to a boil over medium heat. Lower heat to a simmer and cook until mixture is reduced to 1/4 cup, about 6 to 7 minutes. Remove from heat and whisk in orange juice and canola oil. Transfer to a glass jar with a lid. This will make more dressing than you need for this recipe. Use remaining as a dressing for other grilled vegetables or as a marinade for meat.