Taste the Mediterranean Sunshine with a Classic Greek Salad!

  

Craving something fresh, vibrant, and bursting with flavor? Look no further than the timeless Greek Salad! This simple yet satisfying salad is a staple of Mediterranean cuisine, and for good reason. It's packed with colorful vegetables, salty feta cheese, briny olives, and a bright, herby dressing – a true taste of sunshine in a bowl.

 

This recipe is incredibly easy to throw together, making it perfect for a light lunch, a flavorful side dish, or even a quick and healthy dinner. Get ready to transport your taste buds to the sunny shores of Greece!

 

What You'll Need:

 

1 English cucumber, peeled and roughly chopped

1 pint cherry tomatoes or 2-3 ripe tomatoes, quartered

1 red onion, thinly sliced

1 green bell pepper, cored, seeded, and roughly chopped

½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted

4 ounces good quality feta cheese, cut into ½-inch cubes

2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil

1 tablespoon red wine vinegar

1 teaspoon dried oregano

Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

Optional: fresh parsley or mint, chopped, for garnish

Let's Toss It Together!

 

Prep the vegetables: Wash and chop all the vegetables according to the ingredient list. Don't worry about making them perfectly uniform – a rustic chop is part of the charm of a Greek salad.

Combine the ingredients: In a large bowl, gently combine the chopped cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, bell pepper, olives, and feta cheese. Be careful not to break the feta as you toss.

Whisk the dressing: In a small bowl or directly over the salad, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, and dried oregano. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to your liking. Remember that the feta and olives are already salty, so start with a small amount of salt and adjust as needed.

Dress the salad: Pour the dressing over the vegetables and feta cheese. Gently toss everything together until the ingredients are evenly coated.

Serve and enjoy! You can serve the Greek salad immediately, or let it sit for about 15-20 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together. Garnish with fresh parsley or mint, if desired, for an extra burst of freshness.