Dreaming of the Greek Isles? Showcase the best of the season’s produce, such as crunchy cucumbers and green bell peppers, sweet tomatoes, and earthy green bell peppers as you prepare our chef’s classic Greek salad, perfect as a refreshing lunchtime dish or as the forerunner of your dinner menu. In Greece, this simple village salad (Horiatiki in Greek), is typically served from early spring through summer and up until mid-fall, although we think you’ll agree it’s the perfect year-round complement to any meal.
Ingredients:
Salad
- 1 English cucumber, seeded, cut into ¾-inch chunks
- ½ medium red onion, halved and thinly sliced
- 2 bell peppers (red, yellow, or orange), cut into ¾-inch chunks
- 1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- ¾ cup Kalamata olives
- 8 oz. feta cheese, diced
Dressing
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar or lemon
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 1 teaspoon honey
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- ¾ teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
Instructions:
- Begin by making the dressing: In a bowl large enough to hold the salad, whisk together the vinegar, salt, pepper, honey, garlic, and oregano. Whisking vigorously, slowly pour in the olive oil to form an emulsion.
- Assemble the salad: Add to the dressing: cucumber, peppers, tomatoes, olives, oregano, red onions and feta. Toss to combine.
- Taste and adjust seasoning, if necessary. Serve or refrigerate for up to 3 hours. Let the salad sit out at room temperature for about 30 minutes before serving.
Serves 2
Olives are a staple in Greek cuisine. Greece cultivated its olives on Crete and Cyprus in the Late Bronze Age and, thereafter, on the mainland. The branches of the olive tree are sacred and rooted in Greek tradition and mythology as symbol of peace and friendship. Olives enjoyed a place at the ancient table because they were nutritious and consumed by the masses, who counted on olives for everyday sustenance. Olives were also one of the most important early appetizers, usually served before the main meal had begun.
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