Description
Mediterranean magic sparkles in this Greek salad, where crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, and tangy feta dance together. Crumbled herbs and zesty olive oil elevate this classic dish, inviting you to savor summer’s freshest flavors.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 1 cup Kalamata olives, pitted
- 1 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 bell pepper (red or green), diced
Aromatics and Seasonings:
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and pepper to taste
Dressing:
- 1/4 cup (60 milliliters) olive oil
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) red wine vinegar
- Fresh parsley for garnish (optional)
Instructions
- Dice the tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers into uniform bite-sized pieces to ensure balanced texture and even flavor distribution.
- Thinly slice red onions to provide a sharp, crisp element without overwhelming the other ingredients.
- Add Kalamata olives whole or halved, creating bursts of Mediterranean intensity throughout the salad.
- Crumble feta cheese with gentle hand movements, allowing irregular chunks that will provide creamy contrast to the fresh vegetables.
- Prepare the dressing by whisking extra virgin olive oil with robust red wine vinegar, creating a tangy emulsion.
- Sprinkle dried oregano, sea salt, and freshly ground black pepper into the dressing, intensifying the classic Greek flavor profile.
- Pour dressing over the vegetable mixture, using a light folding technique to coat ingredients without bruising delicate components.
- Let salad rest for 15-20 minutes at room temperature to allow flavors to harmonize and develop depth.
- Before serving, garnish with fresh chopped parsley for a bright, herbaceous finish that enhances the salad’s visual appeal and aromatic complexity.
Notes
- Chop vegetables uniformly to ensure each bite has a balanced mix of textures and flavors.
- Use high-quality extra virgin olive oil for a more authentic Mediterranean taste profile.
- For a vegan version, replace feta cheese with firm tofu or plant-based cheese alternative, seasoned with nutritional yeast for extra flavor.
- Let the salad rest briefly before serving to allow ingredients to marinate and develop deeper, more complex taste sensations.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 250
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 600mg
- Fat: 22g
- Saturated Fat: 6g
- Unsaturated Fat: 14g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 10g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 6g
- Cholesterol: 30mg