Greek Cherry Tomato Salad

If you don’t have a salad spinner, after the salted tomatoes have stood for 30 minutes, wrap the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and gently shake to remove seeds and excess liquid. Strain the liquid and proceed with the recipe as directed. The amount of liquid given off by the tomatoes will depend on their ripeness. If you have less than 1/2 cup of juice after spinning, proceed with the recipe using the entire amount of juice and reduce it to 3 tablespoons as directed (the cooking time will be shorter).Prep time includes stand time for tomatoes

• Ready In: 43 mins
• Serves: 4
• Yields: 1 salad

Ingredients

• 2  pints cherry tomatoes, ripe, quartered (about 4 cups)
•  table salt
• 1⁄2 teaspoon sugar
• 2  minced medium garlic cloves (about 2 teaspoons)
• 1⁄2 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1  medium shallot, minced (about 3 tablespoons)
• 1  tablespoon red wine vinegar
• 2  tablespoons  extra-virgin olive oil
•  ground black pepper
• 1  small cucumber, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1/2-inch dice
• 1⁄2 cup  chopped pitted kalamata olive
• 4  ounces feta cheese, crumbled (about 1 cup)
• 3  tablespoons  chopped fresh parsley leaves

Directions

1. 1. Toss tomatoes, 1/4 teaspoon salt, and sugar in medium bowl; let stand for 30 minutes. Transfer tomatoes to salad spinner and spin until seeds and excess liquid have been removed, 45 to 60 seconds, stirring to redistribute tomatoes several times during spinning. Return tomatoes to bowl and set aside. Strain tomato liquid through fine-mesh strainer into liquid measuring cup, pressing on solids to extract as much liquid as possible.
2. 2. Bring 1/2 cup tomato liquid (discard any extra), garlic, oregano, shallot, and vinegar to simmer in small saucepan over medium heat. Simmer until reduced to 3 tablespoons, 6 to 8 minutes. Transfer mixture to small bowl and cool to room temperature, about 5 minutes. Whisk in oil and pepper to taste until combined. Taste and season with up to 1/8 teaspoon table salt.
3. 3. Add cucumber, olives, feta, dressing, and parsley to bowl with tomatoes; toss gently and serve.