Description
Delightful Mediterranean Salad blends fresh herbs, crisp vegetables, and tangy feta cheese into a colorful culinary journey. Refreshing ingredients dance together, creating a light, zesty experience that transports you to sun-drenched coastal landscapes.
Ingredients
Scale
Vegetables and Greens:
- 1 head romaine or mixed greens, chopped
- 1 cup (237 milliliters / 8 ounces) cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1 cup (237 milliliters / 8 ounces) cucumber, sliced (Persian or English)
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup (59 milliliters / 2 ounces) chopped fresh parsley (optional)
Proteins and Cheese:
- ½ cup (118 milliliters / 4 ounces) Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- ½ cup (118 milliliters / 4 ounces) crumbled feta cheese
- ½ cup (118 milliliters / 4 ounces) pepperoncini slices (optional)
Dressing Ingredients:
- ¼ cup (59 milliliters / 2 ounces) extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters / 1 ounce) red wine vinegar
- Juice of ½ lemon
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
- Prepare the vibrant flavor base by vigorously blending olive oil, red wine vinegar, freshly minced garlic, zesty lemon juice, dried oregano, and optional Dijon mustard in a compact container until the mixture transforms into a smooth, unified emulsion.
- Select a spacious mixing vessel and layer crisp lettuce leaves as the foundational green canvas for the Mediterranean creation.
- Artfully scatter chopped ripe tomatoes, thinly sliced cucumber rounds, and slivers of crimson red onion across the lettuce landscape.
- Introduce briny Kalamata olives and crumbled feta cheese to elevate the salad’s complex flavor profile.
- Enhance the herb dimension by sprinkling fresh parsley and optional tangy pepperoncini peppers throughout the mixture.
- Just moments before presenting the dish, cascade the prepared dressing over the assembled ingredients, using gentle folding motions to ensure each component receives an even, glistening coating.
- Serve immediately to capture the peak freshness and vibrant textures of this Mediterranean-inspired salad.
Notes
- Customize the dressing by adjusting the vinegar-to-oil ratio for a tangier or more mellow flavor profile.
- Prep vegetables ahead of time and store separately to maintain crispness and prevent wilting.
- Swap feta with dairy-free alternatives like nutritional yeast or cashew cheese for vegan diets.
- Enhance protein content by adding grilled chicken, chickpeas, or quinoa to transform this into a more substantial meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Dinner, Appetizer
- Method: None
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 290
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 320 mg
- Fat: 18 g
- Saturated Fat: 11 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 27 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 9 g
- Cholesterol: 80 mg