Try this Greek horiatiki salad recipe for a flavorsome day
Experience the essence of Mediterranean flavors with the classic Greek horiatiki salad. Originating from Greece's pastoral settings, this dish combines garden-fresh vegetables into a symphony of vivid hues and crisp textures, all complemented by a zesty, invigorating dressing. Ideal as a refreshing light lunch or a complementary side, it invites you to slice, dice, and indulge in its wholesome goodness.
Gather the following ingredients
To craft this Greek specialty, arrange for four ripe tomatoes, one cucumber, one green bell pepper, a red onion, half cup of Kalamata olives, and 200 gm of feta cheese. For the dressing, you will require three tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil, one tablespoon of red wine vinegar, a dash of dried oregano, and salt and pepper to your liking.
Prepare the vegetables
Begin by washing all your vegetables thoroughly. Cut the tomatoes into wedges and slice the cucumber into half-moons about a quarter-inch thick. For the bell pepper, remove the core and seeds before slicing it into rings. Thinly slice the red onion into rings as well. Place all these vegetables in a large salad bowl as you prepare them.
Assemble the salad
After preparing your vegetables, introduce the Kalamata olives to the mix. Then, take the feta cheese and crumble it generously over the salad, creating a delightful creamy texture that contrasts with the crispness of the vegetables. In keeping with tradition, arrange these ingredients in elegant layers rather than tossing, allowing each element to stand out on its own.
Dressing perfection
In a petite bowl, whisk extra virgin olive oil with red wine vinegar to create a harmonious blend. Gently stir in a sprinkle of dried oregano, adding salt and freshly ground pepper to suit your palate. Strive for an exquisite equilibrium between the vinegar's zest and the olive oil's luxuriousness, crafting the quintessence of Mediterranean zest.
Serve with love
Before serving, lavish your salad with the dressing, allowing the flavors to seep into every crevice. A gentle toss can be employed to meld the tastes or leave it layered for a visual and textural feast. Now, your horiatiki salad stands ready to grace any table, a perfect accompaniment to either a sun-kissed afternoon or an evening under the stars.
