Quick and Easy Mediterranean

I didn't feel like spending too much time in the kitchen yesterday with the wonderful NY weather outdoors. After reading in Central Park for a few hours yesterday afternoon, I came home and made a super simple Mediterranean meal.

Warm Lentil Salad: Yields 4-6 Servings
16 oz of cooked lentils (Lentils should still have a slight bite. Brown or green will provide nice color contrast, but I used black belugas)
1 pint cherry tomatoes, rinsed
1/2 small red onion, small dice (1/4 inch)
4 cloves garlic, sliced
4 Tbsp olive oil, divided, plus extra to drizzle
salt and pepper, to taste
1/4 cup chopped parsley
4 oz pitted kalamata olives, halved
4 oz feta cheese, cut into 1/2 inch cubes (optional-omit for vegan)
1 Tbsp red wine vinegar
2-3 Tbsp lemon juice

1. Preheat oven to 375. On a small baking sheet, toss cherry tomatoes, onion, garlic, 2 Tbsp olive oil, and salt and pepper. Bake, turning occasionally, for 25 minutes, or until tomatoes are beginning to burst.
2. Gently toss lentils with warm cherry tomato mixture and remaining ingredients. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Drizzle with additional olive oil before serving, if desired.


Spinach and Yogurt Dip: Yields 4 Servings
1 head garlic, top sliced off to reveal the inner cloves
2 tsp olive oil
6 oz spinach, washed, stemmed and chopped
1 cup plain Greek yogurt
1/2 tsp lemon zest
1 Tbsp lemon juice
salt, to taste

1. Preheat oven to 375. On a small sheet of foil, place 1 tsp olive oil and head of garlic. Wrap tightly in the foil and roast until tender and golden, about 45 minutes. Cool before using.
2. Meanwhile, saute spinach in remaining tsp olive oil over medium heat until wilted. Cool and squeeze dry.
3. Mix roasted garlic and spinach with yogurt, lemon zest and lemon juice. Season to taste with salt. Serve with sliced vegetables, pita bread or crackers.
(Alternatively, 3 cloves of chopped garlic can be cooked in 1 Tbsp olive oil with 1/4 tsp crush red peeper flakes until tender and lightly golden. The spinach can then be wilted in this mixture, but must still be pressed dry)


Again, this was a super easy meal and was truly delicious. Hope you enjoy it. I'm not quite sure what the next recipe I want to test for the contest is. I'm torn between another appetizer and another dessert. I'll keep you posted!