Citrus Salad with Feta, Pistachios and Mint

I have a serious case of wanderlust these days. All I want to do is dream of places to travel. Even though we just took a trip to Florida for the holidays and we have a couple of weekend trips coming up(like NYC this weekend), I still have this itch to travel. I will take just about any kind of travel -  day trips, weekend trips or even better, international trips. I have my heart set on Morocco for some reason. It has been high on my list of places to visit for a while, I think it is all the colors and patterns of Morocco as well as (and most importantly) the food. I am in love with the flavors of Moroccan food - a mix of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern - it is completely the flavor profile I always turn to when I am cooking. So inspired by my serious case of wanderlust, here is my version of a Moroccan citrus salad with feta, pistachios and mint. If I can't get to Morocco anytime soon, maybe I can pretend I am there by cooking food influenced by that part of the world.

It is funny what people gravitate towards, especially people in food. One of my co-workers pointed this out to me recently that I always reach for Mediterranean and Middle Eastern spices when I am cooking. I am in love with the flavors of cumin, paprika, cinnamon and mint. She on the other hand always gravitates to southwestern cuisine. Funny how that happens. Where did these flavor affinities come from?  I did not grow up eating a certain way but these are always the flavors that appeal to me. I think that is why I am in love with Morroco - the spice markets, the tagines and I love their use of bright citrus flavors in their food.

Since I am obsessed with citrus season, I thought I would put together a savory citrus salad. Citrus salad is usually sweet and served with breakfast or as dessert. But that doesn't have to always be the case. Pairing sweet citrus with savory is just delicious. The sweet citrus against the tangy feta and the fresh mint, it is perfection.  Not to mention it is gorgeous and completely easy.(Side note, I have cooked for two events this week and both times I made this salad. It is perfectly seasonal and light yet hearty)

So please excuse me while I eat this gorgeous salad and dream of souks, casbahs and camel rides in the dessert.

Citrus Salad with Feta, Pistachios and Mint

Ingredients: 

• 3 - 4 citrus fruits, such as blood oranges and cara cara oranges
• 3 oz feta cheese
• 3 tablespoons pistachios, chopped
• mint chopped
• olive oil
• sea salt

Method: 

Remove the citrus peels and cut fruit into wheels. Sprinkle with feta and pistachios and garnish with mint, a drizzle of olive oil and a large pinch of sea salt.

Serves 4