Classic Greek Salad Topped With Grilled Calamari Skewers

Submitted by Cynna

"This is a not your run-of-the-mill salad. Very flavorful and refreshing and the calamari is a scrumptious addition! Posted for Zaar World Tour II '06"

 

• Ready In: 55mins
• Ingredients: 19
• Serves: 4

ingredients

• 20 wooden skewers
• 10 small calamari, cleaned, tentacles removed
• 1⁄2 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus more for grilling
• 1⁄4 cup red wine vinegar
• 4 garlic cloves, chopped
• 1 tablespoon dried oregano
• 1 tablespoon fresh oregano
• 1 tablespoon fresh thyme leave
• 1 lemon, juice of
• 1 teaspoon kosher salt
• 1 teaspoon black pepper
• 4 tomatoes, seeded and cut into chunks
• 1 medium red onion, sliced thin
• 1 medium cucumber, sliced thin
• 1⁄2 lb feta cheese, crumbled
• 1⁄2 cup kalamata olive, pitted
• 1 head romaine lettuce, torn into bite size pieces
• 4 lemon wedges, for garnish
• 4 oregano leaves, fresh, for garnish

directions

1. Soak 20 wooden skewers in water for about 20 minutes.
2. Rinse the calamari tubes and pat dry.
3. Split the bodies from top to bottom so you have 2 triangular pieces.
4. Thread a soaked skewer through the length of each piece. Put the skewers on a platter and set aside.
5. To make the vinaigrette, whisk together the oil, vinegar, garlic, dried and fresh oregano, thyme and lemon juice; season with salt and pepper.
6. Pour 1/2 of the vinaigrette over the calamari; set the other 1/2 aside while you make the salad.
7. In a large bowl, add the tomatoes, onion, cucumber, cheese, olives, and romaine.
8. Pour the remaining vinaigrette over the salad and toss to combine. Let marinate while you grill the calamari.
9. Heat the grill or a grill pan and oil it lightly.
10. Grill the calamari for 2 minutes on each side, no longer or they will be tough.
11. To serve, put the salad onto a large platter and top it with the calamari skewers.
12. Garnish with fresh oregano leaves and lemon wedges.

Reviews

[januarybride]

For some reason, we just didn't love this. I felt like the dressing needed to sit for a few hours for the flavors to develop - even with all of that garlic and the fresh herbs it was still bland. And even though I followed the directions with the calamari, they were curled when taken off the skewers. I also didn't care for the calamari after being marinated - I think I would have preferred to just skip that step. Glad I finally made it though, as it has been on my to do list for a while now!