Crispy Grains And Halloumi With Smashed Cucumbers Recipes

Steps:

• Heat the broiler on high with a rack six or fewer inches from the heat source. Put the grains, halloumi and chickpeas on a sheet pan to air dry while you prepare the other ingredients. (You can do this up to a day ahead and refrigerate the sheet pan.)
• Meanwhile, smash the cucumbers with the side of your knife until they're craggy and split. Coarsely chop into irregular 1/2-inch pieces. Transfer the cucumbers and any liquid on the cutting board to a small bowl and season with salt. Finely grate about 1 teaspoon of the citrus zest over the cucumbers, then squeeze in 3 tablespoons juice. Cut any remaining citrus into wedges for serving. Add the herbs and 1 tablespoon olive oil, stir to combine and set aside. (Cucumbers can be prepared up to 3 hours in advance.)
• Add remaining 3 tablespoons olive oil and the cumin to the sheet pan. Stir to combine. Season with salt and pepper, spread in an even layer, and broil, shaking the pan occasionally or tossing with a fork, until the chickpeas start to pop and everything is crisped and golden brown, 7 to 10 minutes.
• Serve the grain-bean mixture topped with the cucumbers and the dressing in the bowl. Season to taste with salt, pepper, citrus juice and olive oil.

Steps:

• Heat the oven to 425 degrees. On a parchment-lined sheet pan, toss together the mushrooms, scallions, halloumi and 3 tablespoons oil; season with salt and pepper. (The pan might be crowded, but that's OK.) Roast on the bottom rack until crisp and golden, 25 to 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, in a large saucepan, cover the barley with 2 inches of water and season with salt. Bring to a boil over high heat. Reduce heat and simmer until tender, 15 to 20 minutes. Drain, rinse under cold water, then leave in the strainer to drain again. Hold onto the saucepan; there is no need to wash it at this stage.
• In a small bowl, stir together the yogurt and olives; season to taste with salt and pepper.
• When the mushroom mixture is done roasting, finely grate the zest of the lemon over it and stir to combine. Shake the barley to get rid of any water, then transfer it back to the saucepan, along with the raw vegetables, herbs and the remaining 1 tablespoon oil. Halve the lemon and squeeze enough juice into the barley mixture until it tastes peppy and fresh (about 2 tablespoons); season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Spoon and spread out a small amount of the barley into bowls, then add small spoonfuls of yogurt and top with a layer of the mushroom mixture. Repeat with another layer of barley, yogurt and mushrooms. Drizzle with olive oil. Leftovers will keep for up to 2 days refrigerated. Adjust seasonings with salt and lemon juice.