Meatball and feta salad with sweet pickle vinaigrette

Meatball and feta salad with sweet pickle vinaigrette

Bite 12/11/2012

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2

Serves 6

I have always enjoyed warm salads. The juxtaposition of hot and cold, along with all the textures, make them a very appealing eating experience. This is a dish made of very humble ingredients, but eats like a dream. I particularly love the sweet pickle vinaigrette we came up with, and can see it becoming a bit of a staple as it would work on all manner of dishes … poached salmon with potato salad comes to mind.

Ingredients

1 kg Lamb mince
2 tsp Garlic, finely chopped
1 tsp Red chilli, finely chopped
1½ tsp Dried oregano, Greek (or similar) if possible
¼ cup Flat leaf parsley, roughly chopped
1 Egg
1 serving Cooking oil
1 Iceberg lettuce, cut into wedges
½ cup Red onion, thinly sliced
½ cup Mint leaves, torn
½ cup Almond flakes, toasted
200 g Feta cheese, cut into small cubes

Sweet pickle vinaigrette

2 tbsp Dijon mustard
3 tbsp Sugar
3 tsp Pickle brine
1 tbsp White wine
1 cup Canola oil, or similar
1½ cups Pickles, finely diced
1 cup Flat leaf parsley, roughly chopped

Directions

  1. For the meatballs, place the lamb mince, garlic, chilli, oregano, parsley, egg and some flaky sea salt and freshly ground black pepper in a bowl and with clean hands work together until thoroughly combined.
  2. Form and roll meatballs to about half the size of a golf ball. Place on a tray lined with plastic wrap and refridgerate until required.
  3. Heat oven to 100 degC.
  4. Heat a large skillet to medium-high heat. Add a little oil and cook your meatballs in batches, until golden brown and firm to the touch.
  5. Season and place them in the warm oven to hold.
  6. In a large mixing bowl, combine the iceberg wedges, red onion and mint.
  7. Dress with 2-3 spoonfuls of sweet pickle vinaigrette (see below), and lightly toss until leaves are coated evenly.
  8. Lay your iceberg salad on plates and top with the flaked almonds and feta cheese.
  9. Arrange the meatballs on top and around, and finish with more vinaigrette if required.

Sweet pickle vinaigrette

  1. Add mustard, sugar, pickle brine and vinegar into a medium sized bowl.
  2. Mix together, and then slowly add the canola oil while whisking continuously until thick and combined.
  3. Stir in chopped pickles and parsley.
  4. Season to taste and refrigerate until required.

Comments

  • jessdan
    jessdan
    added 182 days ago

    I made this for dinner and it was so good! I added some hard boiled egg too. Definitely on my list of salads for summer!

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