Flavors Worth Savoring
Greek Salad: A Fresh and Vibrant Mediterranean Classic
Course: AppetizersCuisine: GreeceDifficulty: EasyServings
4 to 6
servingsPrep time
15
minutesCooking timeminutes
Calories
200
kcalRecipe Overview:
Greek Salad, also known as Horiatiki, is a quintessential Mediterranean dish that highlights the freshness of ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and tangy feta cheese, all brought together by a simple yet flavorful olive oil dressing. This salad is perfect for warm weather and is a staple in Greek cuisine, often served as a side dish or a light meal. The combination of fresh vegetables, olives, and herbs creates a refreshing and satisfying dish that is both healthy and delicious.
Ingredients
Tomatoes: 4 medium, ripe, cut into wedges
Cucumber: 1 large, peeled and sliced into half-moons
Red Onion: 1 small, thinly sliced
Green Bell Pepper: 1, thinly sliced (optional)
Kalamata Olives: ½ cup, pitted
Feta Cheese: 200g (about 7 oz), cut into large cubes or crumbled
Extra Virgin Olive Oil: ¼ cup
Red Vinegar: 1 tablespoon
Oregano: 1 teaspoon, dried (or fresh oregano leaves, if available)
Salt: 1 teaspoon, or to taste
Black Pepper: ½ teaspoon, freshly ground
Directions
- Prepare the Vegetables:
In a large salad bowl, combine the tomato wedges, cucumber slices, sliced red onion, and green bell pepper (if using). - Add the Olives and Feta:
Scatter the Kalamata olives over the vegetables, and then add the feta cheese on top. You can either crumble the feta or leave it in larger cubes, depending on your preference. - Make the Dressing:
In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, red vinegar, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. - Dress the Salad:
Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine, ensuring all the vegetables are evenly coated. - Serving Suggestions:
Greek Salad is best served immediately, while the vegetables are fresh and crisp. Greek Salad pairs wonderfully with a variety of dishes, from grilled meats like lamb and chicken to seafood such as grilled octopus or fish. It can also be served as part of a larger mezze spread, along with dips like tzatziki, hummus, and warm pita bread.
Notes
- Feta Cheese: A staple in Greek cuisine, feta is a brined white cheese made from sheep’s milk (or a mix of sheep and goat’s milk). It adds a creamy, tangy flavor that complements the freshness of the vegetables.
Kalamata Olives: These dark purple, almond-shaped olives are known for their rich, fruity flavor and are essential in a traditional Greek salad.
