Middle Eastern salad with crunchy Cos lettuce

Preparation

• Combine the dressing ingredients in a screw-top jar and shake. Set aside.
• Place salad ingredients (except for the Persian feta) into a bowl. Add the dressing to the bowl and stir well. Set aside.
• Lay Cos lettuce leaves on a platter and distribute the salad filling evenly onto each leaf, followed by the feta.
• Finish with a generous splash of Zhoug on each. Serve and enjoy!

Tips from the author

Cos lettuce is an excellent base for a meal as each leaf can be filled with interesting combinations. Richard says, "I like to prepare meals for people with gluten intolerances and a crunchy Cos makes this easy".

Zhoug (or green harissa) is popular in Middle Eastern kitchens. It's consistency is similar to pesto, but it's a fragrant and hot and spicy herb relish. Coriander and parsley are the main herbs.

Below is Richard's Zoug recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh coriander
• 1 cup fresh parsley
• 4 garlic cloves
• 1 tsp cumin seed, toasted
• 1 tsp caraway seed, toasted
• 200ml extra virgin olive oil
• 10 chillies, deseeded

Prepare the Zhoug by grinding the toasted seeds into a powder. Then put all ingredients into a food processor and blend until smooth.

You can store fresh Zhoug for a few days in the fridge, it's a perfect addition to sandwiches, salad dressings, or on eggs or fritters.