Picture a vibrant, fresh salad that tantalizes your senses with the crispness of greens, the juiciness of cherry tomatoes, and the tangy crumble of feta cheese.
This Mediterranean delight is incredibly easy to toss together, offering a comforting and satisfying experience with every bite.
As the olive oil and red wine vinegar dressing melds with the colorful ingredients, each mouthful transforms into a burst of flavor.
Let’s bring this delightful dish to life!
Kitchen Tools Required
- 1 large salad bowl
- 1 knife
- 1 cutting board
- 1 salad tongs
- 1 measuring cup
- 1 tablespoon
Ingredients
- 4 cups mixed greens, washed and dried
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cucumber, sliced
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup black olives, pitted and sliced
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt, to taste
- Black pepper, to taste
Cook & Prep Time
To efficiently manage your time while preparing the Salad with Feta, follow this timeline:
- Initial Reading and Setup (5 minutes):
- Read through the entire recipe to understand the steps and gather all necessary ingredients and equipment.
- Preparation (10 minutes):
- Wash and dry the mixed greens.
- Halve the cherry tomatoes.
- Slice the cucumber and thinly slice the red onion.
- Pit and slice the black olives.
- Crumble the feta cheese.
- Mixing the Salad (5 minutes):
- Combine the mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and black olives in the large salad bowl.
- Crumble the feta cheese over the salad mixture.
- Making the Dressing (5 minutes):
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Tossing and Serving (5 minutes):
- Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to combine using salad tongs.
- Serve immediately and enjoy.
Adjust the timing as needed based on your pace and any additional garnishes you might want to add.
Recipe Instructions
Combine the mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and black olives in the large salad bowl.
Crumble the feta cheese over the salad mixture.
In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, salt, and pepper.
Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to combine using salad tongs.
Serve immediately and enjoy.
Serving Tips
- Grilled Chicken: Pair with tender, juicy grilled chicken for a protein-rich and hearty meal.
- Roasted Vegetables: Add a side of roasted vegetables for a warm and flavorful complement.
- Crusty Bread: Serve with a slice of crusty bread to soak up the delicious dressing.
- Quinoa: Top with a scoop of quinoa for added texture and fiber.
- Lemon Water: Refresh with a glass of lemon water to cleanse the palate and enhance the Mediterranean flavors.
Storage
To store salad with feta, place it in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to two days.
Keep the dressing separate to prevent the greens from becoming soggy.
Freezing
Freezing a salad with feta isn’t recommended.
The fresh ingredients can lose texture and flavor.
Instead, prepare fresh before serving for best taste and quality.
Reheating
Since the salad with feta is best served fresh, reheating isn’t recommended.
To maintain freshness, store salad and dressing separately in the fridge.
Combine them before serving.
Final Thoughts
The Salad with Feta is a quick and delicious Mediterranean dish.
It combines fresh mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and black olives.
The addition of crumbled feta cheese brings a salty and creamy texture.
The simple dressing of olive oil, red wine vinegar, and oregano enhances the flavors.
This salad is perfect as a light meal or a side dish. It pairs well with grilled chicken or fish for added protein.
Consider adding fresh dill or mint for extra flavor. Toasted pine nuts or slivered almonds can add a delightful crunch.
Enjoy this vibrant and revitalizing salad!
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I Substitute Feta Cheese With a Vegan Alternative?
Of course, you can substitute feta cheese with a vegan alternative like almond feta or tofu feta. Make certain it complements the salad’s flavors. Crumble evenly, focusing on presentation, and pair with fresh herbs for a delightful finish.
What Are Some Low-Calorie Dressing Options for This Salad?
You can use lemon juice, balsamic vinegar, or a light vinaigrette as low-calorie dressings. Pair them with fresh herbs like dill or mint for extra flavor. Present your salad with a sprinkle of toasted seeds for crunch.
How Can I Make This Salad Nut-Free?
To make it nut-free, simply skip the pine nuts or almonds. Enhance flavors with fresh herbs like dill or mint. For presentation, layer ingredients artfully, and drizzle dressing just before serving. Pair with grilled chicken or fish.
Are There Any Recommended Wine Pairings for This Salad?
Pair a crisp Sauvignon Blanc with your salad to enhance the feta’s tang and the olives’ brininess. For presentation, pour the wine into chilled glasses, ensuring a vibrant setting that complements your Mediterranean dish beautifully. Enjoy!
What Are Some Protein-Rich Additions to Enhance This Salad?
Add grilled chicken or shrimp for lean proteins that complement the salad’s flavors. For presentation, slice the chicken or shrimp and arrange it artfully atop the salad. The proteins’ savory notes beautifully balance feta’s tanginess.
Salad with Feta
Equipment
- 1 large salad bowl
- 1 Knife
- 1 Cutting board
- 1 salad tongs
- 1 measuring cup
- 1 tablespoon
Ingredients
- 4 cups mixed greens washed and dried
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes halved
- 1 cucumber sliced
- 1 small red onion thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup black olives pitted and sliced
- 1/2 cup feta cheese crumbled
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- salt to taste
- black pepper to taste
Instructions
- Combine the mixed greens, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and black olives in the large salad bowl.
- Crumble the feta cheese over the salad mixture.
- In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to combine using salad tongs.
- Serve immediately and enjoy.
Notes
