This traditional Greek salad recipe is a warm welcome to the sunny shores of Greece. I imagine it is a place where every bite of food is a celebration of freshness and flavor!
Let me be your culinary tour guide today as we embark on a delightful journey into the vibrant world of traditional Greek salad.
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Wow, look at all these amazing ingredients! Crisp cucumber, crunchy red onion and green peppers, juicy and meaty fresh tomatoes, briny Kalamata olives, creamy and salty feta cheese, and all this topped with an amazing Zesty Greek Salad Dressing!
Greek salad, locally known as "Horiatiki salad" has been a beloved staple of Greek cuisine for centuries. Its beginnings can be traced back to the rustic villages of Greece, where resourceful farmers would gather the finest produce from their gardens and craft them into a simple yet delectable dish.
Over the years, this Greek village salad has evolved, but its essence remains unchanged: a celebration of the bountiful Mediterranean harvest.
Greek Salad Ingredients and Substitutions:
- Ripe cherry tomatoes, chopped into juicy chunks
- Crunchy cucumbers, sliced into rounds
- Red onion, thinly sliced to add a pop of color
- Green (or red) bell pepper, seeded and sliced for a crunchy texture
- Creamy feta cheese crumbled to perfection. It can be substituted with a vegan or dairy-free option
- Kalamata olives, for a briny touch. Alternatively, black olives can be a nice substitute if Kalamata olives are not readily available.
- Extra virgin olive oil, good quality oil for a dose of Mediterranean flavor
- Red wine vinegar, to elevate the flavors
- Dried oregano, for an aromatic hint of Grece
- Dijon Mustard and minced Garlic, to elevate the flavors
- Salt and black pepper, to sprinkle and season according to taste
Preparation Steps:
- In a large bowl, assemble the chopped tomatoes, sliced cucumber, thinly sliced red onion, sliced green bell pepper, and Kalamata Olives.
- Secondly, drizzle the dressing over the salad. Gently toss ensuring the veggies are coated.
- Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese and add some mint leaves for additional aroma and color.
- Sprinkle the dried oregano, salt, and pepper over the salad ingredients, allowing the flavors to intertwine harmoniously.
- Finally, let the salad settle for 10-15 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to melt together.
Cooking Tips
- Without a doubt, fresh ingredients are important. Even more so for this recipe! Choose the juiciest tomatoes and the freshest, crunchiest cucumbers available.
- Allow the salad to rest in its dressing for at least 15 minutes before serving, allowing the flavors to meld together.
- On the other hand, for optimal freshness, crumble the feta cheese over the salad just before serving, without letting it get soggy in the dressing. This will ensure it retains its creamy texture and rich flavor.
Variations
- Be creative with the herbs you like! Add a handful of freshly chopped parsley for an extra layer of freshness.
- Introduce an unexpected twist to your salad by adding diced avocado or artichoke hearts.
- For a full meal version of this classic dish, add some cooked chickpeas, quinoa, or grilled chicken to your salad. Serve with some traditional pita bread.
Serving Suggestions
Personally, adding just a slice of crusty pita bread is enough to make this dish a full Mediterranean experience on its own. Also, a glass of white wine will fit well, too.
Traditional Greek salad is versatile and can be served as a refreshing side dish alongside grilled meats or seafood. Perfect for family grill time!
Storing
I highly recommend this authentic Greek salad to be enjoyed fresh. Store the leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Simply give it a gentle toss before serving again to redistribute the flavors.
FAQ
Absolutely! My advice would be to prepare the ingredients ahead of time but dress the salad just before serving to preserve its freshness and, of course, its appearance.
My friend, this salad is a nutritional powerhouse! It is brimming with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants from fresh vegetables. However, with feta cheese and olives, moderation is important.
Yes, Greek salad can be a part of a keto diet, as it contains low-carb vegetables and healthy fats from olive oil and olives. Just be mindful of the portion size of ingredients like tomatoes and onions, as they contain some natural sugars.
Certainly! If you're avoiding dairy, feel free to omit the feta cheese or substitute it with a dairy-free alternative such as vegan feta.
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Traditional Greek Salad
Salad with fresh veggies and creamy feta cheese.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 5 minutes
- Total Time: 15 minutes
- Yield: 4 1x
- Category: Appetizer, Salad
- Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients
For the Dressing
- 3 tbsp Olive Oil (extra virgin)
- 2 tbsp Red Wine Vinegar
- 1 clove Garlic (minced)
- ½ tsp Lemon Juice
- ⅓ tsp Oregano (dried)
- ⅓ tsp Dijon Mustard
For the Salad
- 2 cups Tomatoes (cherry)
- 1 Cucumber
- 1 Bell Pepper (green or red)
- ⅓ cup Red Onion (thinly sliced)
- ½ cup Feta Cheese (crumbled or cut into small cubes)
- ½ cup Kalamata olives (pitted)
Instructions
- In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, lemon juice, oregano, and Dijon mustard. Season it with salt and pepper to taste.
- On a large plate, arrange the cucumber, pepper, tomatoes, onion, and olives. Sprinkle with dressing and gently toss. Season with extra salt and pepper, if needed.
Add crumbled feta cheese and some mint leaves on top just before serving.
Nutrition
- Calories: 196
- Sugar: 5.3
- Sodium: 313.3
- Fat: 16.6
- Saturated Fat: 4.6
- Carbohydrates: 9.5
- Protein: 4.2
- Cholesterol: 16.7
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