This yummy meal is quick, simple and easy to prepare. The shrimp cooks quickly, and the basmati is easy to make in a rice cooker. Just add the rice, broth and salt and it will beep when it’s done. Delicious rice has never been easier. When the rice cooker is finished, stir in some of the tomatoes, feta and oregano to create a Mediterranean style base.
Grilled shrimp is one of our favorite summertime treats, but there’s no reason we can’t enjoy it in January with an indoor searing grill. Shrimp does well on the grill because it cooks rapidly at high temperatures. We grilled our shrimp on kebab sticks, but you can use a grill basket or foil if you prefer. Make sure the grill is very, very hot before placing shrimp on the grates, so it cooks quickly and gets perfect grill marks. To present the dish, you can simply lay a kebab over the bowl or you can slide the shrimp off and serve it over the rice.
Fresh oregano makes an aromatic garnish, and the lime wedges add a pop of bright flavor to the meal. We especially like to squeeze lime juice directly over the shrimp to bring out its flavor. Eat leftovers the next day in the form of a cool, refreshing salad – just mix any remaining shrimp into the leftover rice and refrigerate in an airtight container. The next day, you’ll notice even more oregano flavor in the rice. We love this dish for its ease and bright flavours, but also because it’s healthy while feeling hearty.
Opa! It’s grilling season and there’s no better way to enjoy this time of year than with a big, juicy burger. While you can’t go wrong with a classic hamburger (or cheeseburger – everything’s better with cheese), the Test Kitchen wanted to add a little somethin’ somethin’ to your grilling game this year.
These greek turkey burgers are anything but your basic burger. Mix ground turkey (a lean meat, perfect for swimsuit season), feta cheese, chopped onion, oregano, salt and pepper together, then form into four patties. Grill for about five minutes on each side until the meat is no longer pink and the juices run clear.
Serve these Mediterranean burgers in a warm pita pocket with lettuce and tomato. We topped ours with a simple, homemade cucumber sauce but you could use your favorite store-bought taziki or substitute the usual suspects like ketchup and mustard.
The feta cheese is a salty, cheesy surprise when you bite into the burger while a dollop of cool cucumber sauce is a refreshing (and welcomed) touch in the spring and summer heat. Serve these burger with hummus and veggies, a light tabbouleh, or cucumber salad for a lighter version of your favourite summer sandwich.
For Cucumber Sauce: Stir yogurt, cucumber, dill, 1 Tablespoon chopped onion and mint in a medium bowl. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate until ready to serve.
Turkey Burger
Preheat grill to MEDIUM-HIGH heat or GRILL ZONE (ORANGE).
Place turkey, feta cheese, 1/2 cup chopped onion, oregano, pepper and salt; form mixture into 4 burgers.
Grill burgers covered 5 minutes on each side, until juices run clear and meat is no longer pink.
Serve burgers in a pita pocket with Cucumber Sauce, lettuce and sliced tomato.
Incorporating beets is a great way to add a pop of color (and not to mention nutrients) to any dish. Spiralize them into ribbons and they are that much more beautiful. If you’re used to roasting or juicing beets, this salad is a great way to mix things up. Skip the sheet pan tonight and start spiralizing.
Using the 3-in-1 Electric Spiralizer, spiralize 6 beets into ribbons using the ribbon disc. Then boil the beets in a large saucepan and cook them for about 1 or 2 minutes, until they are tender. Remove the beets from the saucepan and chill them in an ice bath, then drain and dry the beets with paper towels.
Arrange fresh greens (you could use spinach, arugula or your favorite lettuce), beet ribbons, and orange segments on a salad plate and top with crumbled goat cheese and toasted walnuts for an added crunch.
Top your colorful salad with a citrusy vinaigrette. Blend orange juice, vegetable oil, rice vinegar, honey, thyme, salt and pepper in no time in your personal blender. Dress your salad and you’re ready to eat.
There are few better combinations than beets and goat cheese, but if you’re not a fan of goat cheese, top this salad with crumbled feta instead. The soft, salty cheese complements the earthiness of the beets while the citrus slices and zesty dressing add sweetness. This salad would make a nice side to your favorite protein or can be served by itself as a hearty lunch.
Using a spiralizer, make ribbons of beets. Fill a large saucepan two-thirds full of water and 2 teaspoons salt. Over high heat, boil water. Add beet ribbons and cook until tender, 1 to 3 minutes. Chill in an ice bath. Drain and dry ribbons with paper towels.
To make dressing, in a single-serve blender, add orange juice, oil, vinegar, honey, thyme leaves, garlic, remaining 1 teaspoon salt, and black pepper. Blend until slightly thickened.
On a salad plate, arrange fresh greens, beet ribbons and orange segments. Top with goat cheese and toasted walnuts.
