Ernies Greek Salad Recipe 45

Steps:

• For the pasta salad: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the tortellini and cook according to the package directions until al dente. Drain and transfer to a large serving bowl.
• Add the remaining salad ingredients and toss to combine. Set aside.
• For the dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the vinegar, garlic, oregano and sugar. Drizzle in the olive oil while whisking continuously until the dressing is well blended.
• Add the dressing to the pasta salad and toss to combine. Serve right away or refrigerate for up to 2 days and serve cold or at room temperature.

Steps:

• Put the cucumbers and tomatoes in separate bowls and pop them in the fridge just until they're cold, about 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile, add the onions to a small bowl. Add the vinegar, 2 tablespoons of the oil, and a healthy pinch of salt, and mix well with your hands. Let the onions sit just until they get pickly, a few minutes.
• In a separate small bowl, stir together the remaining 2 tablespoons of oil, the lemon juice, and a good pinch of salt until the mixture looks creamy. Combine the tomatoes and cucumber in one bowl, pour in the lemon dressing, and toss gently but well.
• Grab a large platter (or 4 to 6 plates) and make a pretty layer of cucumbers and tomatoes, so the colors and types of the vegetables are well divvied up. Give the onions one more toss, then use your hands to add them (reserving their pickly liquid) here and there over the cucumbers and tomatoes. Scatter on the olives and mint. Use your hands to crumble the feta into pieces large, medium, and small as you scatter it on top. Finally, drizzle on the liquid remaining in the onion bowl. Eat straightaway.
• Photo by David Loftus

Steps:

• Toss 3 quartered tomatoes, some fresh oregano, 2 tablespoons capers (with 3 tablespoons of the liquid), 1 tablespoon sliced pickled peppers (with 1 tablespoon of the liquid), 3 tablespoons olive oil, and salt and pepper. Toss in watercress, sliced scallions and pitted Greek olives.

Steps:

• Place the cucumber, peppers, tomatoes and red onion in a large bowl.
• For the vinaigrette, whisk together the garlic, oregano, mustard, vinegar, salt and pepper in a small bowl. Still whisking, slowly add the olive oil to make an emulsion. Pour the vinaigrette over the vegetables. Add the feta and olives and toss lightly. Set aside for 30 minutes to allow the flavors to blend. Serve at room temperature.

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, combine the diced tomato, cucumber, green pepper, onion, feta and mint. Toss with the vinegar and olive oil. Season if desired with salt and pepper.
• Spread the bottom half of an English muffin with half the mayonnaise. Layer half of the sliced tomato on top. Top with half the Greek salad mixture. Spread the top half of an English muffin with mustard if desired, and place on top of the salad. Press down, cut in half and serve. Alternately, you may wrap the sandwich in plastic and refrigerate. Use the remaining ingredients for a second sandwich.