greek salad recipe

The Ultimate Greek Salad Recipe: Refreshing and Easy to Make

Are you a lover of light meals and foods and at the same time a nutrition fanatic then perhaps the conventional Greek salad. This is a colorful dish that not only brings the desired colors on the plate but is full of colors in terms of nutrients too.

  

What is Greek Salad?

Horiatiki also known as Greek salad is a very simple dish that can be clearly defined as a type of vegetable salad coming from Greece. Normally it is seasoned with olive oil, vinegar and herbs – is perfect for a side dish with other foods but satisfying on its own if eaten as a salad. Mainly served in warm climate, greek salad is one of those salad that do not require flavor addition as most of the ingredients used have natural flavors.

 

 

Essential Components for Greek Salad

To make an authentic Greek salad, you'll need the following ingredients:

 

• Cucumbers: Skin and dice for the crunchy background.
  

• Tomatoes: Try using fresh tomatoes because dried or frozen ones may change the taste  of the salsa. Cherry tomatoes can also be a good offer.

• Red Onion: Sliced thinly so that they have a slightly tangy taste.
  

• Bell Peppers: Any color is capable of making it sweet and crunchy.

• Kalamata Olives: The basis consists of Kalamata olives, which have a piquant bitterness from pitting the fruit.
  

• Feta Cheese: Molded or in blocks it is as indispensable to the Greek salad as the oil and vinegar dressing.
  

• Extra Virgin Olive Oil: For dressing, use the best quality olive oil for a better taste of the dressings.
  

• Red Wine Vinegar: This puts a bit of tang to complement the citrus flavors in the dish.

• Dried Oregano:  A local type of vegetable that gives the salad that natural flavor.

 

Additional components

While the above ingredients form the base of a classic Greek salad, feel free to add:

 

• Capers: For an extra zing.

• Avocado: For creaminess.

• Chickpeas: To increase the amount of protein and to compensate the loss of volume due to the removal of oil.

 

 

How to prepare the perfect Greek Salad

Follow these simple steps to whip up a delicious Greek salad at home:

 

Step 1: Gather Your Ingredients

All ingredients should be prepared on a clean countertop. Blanch the vegetables to add freshness’ The vegetables should be washed properly for the best results.

 

Step 2: Chop the Vegetables

• Cucumbers: Peel the cucumbers and then cut them vertically into semi circular shape.
  

• Tomatoes: Toma once can be diced into wedges or quarters.

• Red Onion: Peel and cut into thin slices; it is possible to briefly put them in water to blunt the edges in case desired.

• Bell Peppers: In case they are still present, seeds should be discarded; they can be chopped into stripes or cubed.

 

Step 3: Combine the Ingredients

In a large salad bowl, mix the cucumbers with tomatoes, sunglasses of red onion, bell pepper and Kalamata olives. Toss gently to mix.

Step 4: Add the Feta Cheese

The last ingredients are crumble or cut the feta cheese into chunks and and include in the salad. It can also be served whole on top, if you want your dish to look elegant and faintly old-world.

 

Step 5: Make the Dressing

In a small bowl, pour the remaining extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, and dried oregano and mix well. Change the amounts of oil and vinegar for the preference of the users

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Step 6: Dress the Salad

Pour the dressing on top of the salad and then mix lightly. Do not crumble the feta too finely as this will spoil the color and texture of the curry.

 

Step 7: Serve Immediately

Greek salads are gourmet due to their natural form, often served immediately with additional olives or herbs if available.

 

 

Tips for the Best Greek Salad

• Use Fresh Ingredients: Using freshly sourced food products will definitely improve the taste, so use juicy vegetables and a good quality feta cheese.
  

• Prepare in Advance: as for the vegetables, they can be chopped several hours before serving, but the salad should be dressed right before serving to maintain its’ crunchy texture.

• Customize to Your Taste: You can also change the measurements of the ingredients included or drop/add your preferred toppings.

• Serve with Grains: For a more satisfying meal add boiled quinoa or bulgur on the side as shown in this video below.
  

 

 

Conclusion

Greek salad is not only a side dish but may also be a centerpiece of your plate! Packed with colours and super fresh flavours, this salad is ideal for barbeque, outdoor parties or as a meal prep packed lunch. With such a Greek salad it is easy to understand why the Mediterranean diet is often recommended, have a taste of it through the simple recipe below.

 

 

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