Albanian Green Salad Food

CAFE GREEN SALAD

Steps:

• 3 cups mixed greens, the darker the better (not iceberg)
• Rub the inside of a large wooden bowl with the garlic clove and then either discard it or save it for another use. Put the mustard in the bowl and whisk in the balsamic vinegar and soy sauce (a French secret!) vigorously for about 10 seconds to get a creamy consistency. Season with salt and pepper, to taste. Drizzle in the olive oil as slowly as possible with 1 hand while whisking as quickly as possible with the other hand to emulsify. Lay the salad greens on top of the dressing and toss just before serving.

ALBANIAN TOSSED SALAD

Steps:

• Toast almonds or sesame seeds in a dry skillet for 3 minutes or so, stirring and watching carefully so as not to burn. Set aside.
• Add lettuce, red onion, black olives, green bell pepper, tomatoes, cucumber, mushrooms(if using) and Feta cheese to large serving bowl.
• In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, dried oregano, paprika, fresh lemon juice, and ground black pepper.
• Pour vinaigrette over vegetables and serve immediately.

ALBANIAN TOMATO CUCUMBER SALAD

Steps:

• Combine tomatoes, cucumber, onion, and peppers in a mixing bowl and toss.
• Drizzle the olive oil over the salad and season with salt to taste. Garnish with olives and cheese.

ALBANIAN STEWED GREEN BEANS AND POTATOES WITH SMOKEY SEITAN

Steps:

• Heat a medium pot over medium heat with 1 tablespoon of olive oil. When hot enough, add the seitan and saute until golden on all sides about 4-5 minutes. Towards the end at the liquid smoke and Smoked Salt. Remove from pot and set aside.
• Now add about 2-3 tablespoons of Olive Oil to the pot. Add the onions and saute for a good 8 minutes until they are translucent and tender. If your pot has burned pieces from the seitan, deglaze it with a bit of vegetable broth. Add the garlic and saute for a minute until fragrant. Now it's time to add the green beans and potatoes. Saute the green beans and potatoes for about 5 minutes.
• Now add the tomato, paprika, oregano, chili flakes and season with salt and pepper. Saute for another two minutes. Add the vegetable broth or water and bring to a boil and then to a simmer. After a couple of minutes add the seitan that you have set aside. Simmer the stew for about 45-50 minutes until the green beans and potatoes are tender. If the stew starts to get dry simply add some more broth. Re-season with salt and pepper to taste if necessary. Remember to not go heavy on the salt because the Smokey Seitan is salt already from the smoked salt. Let the stew sit for 15 minutes or you can eat it has soon has it finished cooking.
• I like to serve these stewed green beans with some rice, bread, and a side salad or vegetable.