Hello Everyone! Welcome to SasVibe. Greek salad, also known as Horiatiki, is a refreshing and flavorful dish that captures the essence of Mediterranean cuisine. With its vibrant colors, crisp vegetables, and tangy dressing, it’s a perfect side dish or light meal. Here’s a comprehensive guide to making an authentic Greek salad that’s both delicious and easy to prepare.
Ingredients:
- Tomatoes: 4 medium ripe tomatoes, chopped
- Cucumber: 1 large cucumber, sliced into half-moons
- Red Onion: 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- Bell Pepper: 1 green bell pepper, sliced into rings
- Kalamata Olives: 1 cup pitted Kalamata olives
- Feta Cheese: 200 grams of feta cheese, cut into cubes or crumbled
- Olive Oil: 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- Oregano: 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Red Wine Vinegar: 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- Salt and Pepper: To taste
- Optional Additions: Capers, fresh herbs like parsley or dill
Preparation:
- Prepare the Vegetables:
- Tomatoes: Start by chopping the tomatoes into bite-sized pieces. If you prefer a less watery salad, you can deseed the tomatoes before chopping.
- Cucumber: Peel the cucumber if the skin is thick or waxy, then slice it into half-moons or quarters.
- Red Onion: Thinly slice the red onion. To reduce its sharpness, you can soak the slices in cold water for a few minutes and then drain.
- Bell Pepper: Remove the seeds and slice the green bell pepper into thin rings or strips.
- Assemble the Salad:
- In a large salad bowl, combine the chopped tomatoes, sliced cucumber, red onion, and green bell pepper.
- Add the Kalamata olives to the bowl. You can leave them whole or slice them in half if you prefer.
- Add the Feta Cheese:
- Traditional Greek salad uses a block of feta cheese placed on top of the vegetables. You can either use a whole block or cut the feta into large cubes. Alternatively, you can crumble the feta over the salad for easier serving.
- Prepare the Dressing:
- In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, and dried oregano. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
- For a more robust flavor, you can add a pinch of garlic powder or minced garlic to the dressing.
- Dress the Salad:
- Pour the dressing over the assembled salad. Gently toss the salad to ensure the vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing.
- If using a block of feta, drizzle a little olive oil over the cheese and sprinkle with oregano.
- Optional Additions:
- For extra flavor, you can add capers or sprinkle fresh herbs like parsley or dill over the salad.
- Some variations of Greek salad include a splash of lemon juice or additional spices like paprika for a unique twist.
- Serve:
- Greek salad is best served fresh, at room temperature. It pairs wonderfully with grilled meats, seafood, or as part of a larger Mediterranean spread.
- Serve the salad with crusty bread or pita to soak up the delicious dressing.
Tips for the Best Greek Salad:
- Quality Ingredients: Use the freshest and highest quality ingredients you can find, especially the olive oil and feta cheese.
- Seasoning: Taste and adjust the seasoning as needed. The saltiness of the feta and olives can vary, so be mindful when adding extra salt.
- Texture: For added crunch, you can include bell peppers of different colors or add sliced radishes.
Greek salad is a simple yet flavorful dish that highlights the beauty of fresh ingredients. By following this guide, you can create an authentic Greek salad that’s perfect for any occasion. Enjoy the taste of the Mediterranean in your own home with this delightful and easy-to-make recipe.
