Greek salad with feta and olives

Greek salad with feta and olives is a refreshing and flavorful dish that’s easy to prepare and perfect for a light meal or as a side dish. Here’s a recipe to make a classic Greek salad:

Ingredients:

• 4 cups (about 200g) cherry tomatoes, halved or 2 large tomatoes, chopped
• 1 cucumber, peeled (if desired) and sliced or chopped
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup (75g) Kalamata olives (or any other black olives), pitted
• 1/2 cup (75g) feta cheese, crumbled or in large chunks
• 1/4 cup (60ml) extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1/2 teaspoon dried basil (optional)
• Salt and pepper, to taste
• Fresh parsley (optional, for garnish)

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Vegetables:

1. Tomatoes:

   • If using cherry tomatoes, cut them in half. For larger tomatoes, chop them into bite-sized pieces.

2. Cucumber:

   • Peel the cucumber if you prefer (it can be left on if you like the texture). Slice or chop it into bite-sized pieces.

3. Red Onion:

   • Thinly slice the red onion. If you prefer a milder flavor, you can soak the slices in cold water for a few minutes and then drain before adding them to the salad.

2. Combine the Salad Ingredients:

1. Mix Vegetables:

   • In a large bowl, combine the cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and olives.

2. Add Feta:

   • Gently fold in the feta cheese, breaking it into chunks if it’s in a block.

3. Prepare the Dressing:

1. Make the Dressing:

   • In a small bowl or a jar with a lid, whisk together the extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, dried basil (if using), salt, and pepper.

2. Combine:

   • Drizzle the dressing over the salad and gently toss to coat the ingredients evenly.

4. Garnish and Serve:

1. Garnish:

   • Garnish the salad with fresh parsley if desired.

2. Serve:

   • Serve immediately or refrigerate for up to 1 hour before serving to allow the flavors to meld.

Tips:

• Olives: Kalamata olives are traditional, but you can use any type of olives you prefer. Make sure they’re pitted.
• Feta Cheese: For a richer flavor, use high-quality feta cheese. Crumbled feta works well, but large chunks can add a nice texture to the salad.
• Additions: You can add other ingredients such as bell peppers, capers, or artichoke hearts for extra flavor.

Enjoy your Greek salad with feta and olives—it's a classic, vibrant, and healthy dish that’s perfect for any occasion!