Moroccan Tomatoes and Parsley Salad

This salad is a staple at all Moroccan dinner tables. The salad is served as a side dish and goes pretty much with any entree. Moroccan salads or side dishes that are served as tapas along side the main course. This salad is similar to the Mexican "Pico De Gallo" salad. What I like about it is its refreshing and cooling flavors. There are many ways you can make it and below You will find my favorite recipe. I have also marked ingredients that are optional so you feel free to experiment with and without to see what works for you.

Ingredients:

2 cups diced tomatoes (splurge here and get some good tomatoes) Heirloom is my favorite

1/2 cup red onions diced on the small side

1/4 cup diced roasted green pepper

1/2 cup dice english cucumber or regular cucumber (Optional)

1/2 cup fresh parsley coarsely chopped

salt and pepper to taste

and the final ingredient is cumin and just a dash of this will do. This last one really puts the signature of Morocco on this salad and makes it stand out. You can skip it though if you don't like taste.

For dressing use:

1 table spoon of really good olive oil

1 teaspoon of lemon juice

To prepare the salad, mix all ingredients in a bowl put in the fridge and let it cool for 15 mins then enjoy.

Ideas on how to pair this salad to complete a meal:

• Obvious one is to serve it as a side dish and enjoy with pita or toasted french bread
• Mix it with your favorite canned tuna and make a sandwich. Squeeze out the oil from the tuna if its packed in oil before mixing with the salad
• Mix it with fresh boiled rice and tuna and eat as entree
• Eat it with corn chips just like you would serve Pico De Gallo (salsa)

That is it folks, try it and leave comments or questions if you like.