Indulge in the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean with our tantalizing Greek Summer Salad, a symphony of fresh, seasonal ingredients that capture the essence of Greece's culinary heritage. This delightful salad is a harmonious blend of crisp cucumbers, juicy tomatoes, sweet bell peppers, red onions, and Kalamata olives, all tossed in a tangy vinaigrette dressing that elevates each ingredient's natural flavors. Feta cheese crumbles add a salty tang, while fresh herbs like oregano and basil infuse the salad with an aromatic touch. Explore variations of this classic dish, including a refreshing Watermelon Feta Salad, a hearty Quinoa Greek Salad, and a zesty Lemon Herb Dressing. Dive into the vibrant flavors of Greece with these delectable summer salad recipes that celebrate the bounty of the season.
Here are our top 3 tried and tested recipes!
PERFECT GREEK SUMMER SALAD WITH ORZO
A very satisfying summer pasta salad to enjoy for lunch or a light dinner!
Provided by Marilena Leavitt
Categories Summer Salad
Time 23m
Yield 4-5
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- In a small bowl, whisk together all the ingredients for the dressing and set aside.
- Cook the orzo in plenty of boiling salted water for about 7 minutes or until tender. Do not overcook it. Drain well and transfer to a large salad bowl. Drizzle with a little of the dressing and toss to coat. Let it cool.
- Prep the vegetables and add them to the salad bowl. Add the olives and the Greek Feta cheese. Drizzle with the remaining dressing and toss gently. Taste and adjust the seasoning.
- Serve at room temperature.
GREEK CUCUMBER SUMMER SALAD
This is the perfect blend of fresh summer vegetables, with yummy feta cheese, and a great and simple dressing. Adapted from BH&G magazine. Submitted by CKeeter.
Provided by Sharon123
Categories Salad Dressings
Time 15m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 8
Steps:
- Chop the cucumbers into 1 inch cubes. Place in a medium size bowl and sprinkle with salt. Let sit 15 minutes to release water.
- Drain excess water and stir in cherry tomatoes, onions and cheese.
- In a small bowl, whisk olive oil and lemon juice. Pour over cucumber mixture.
- Add black pepper and stir gently. Chill until serving.
- This light salad tastes especially delicious when prepared with fresh summer cucumbers and tomatoes from the garden!
GREEK SUMMER SALAD
This is my adaptation of the Greek "village" salad. I believe the customary tradition is to use olive oil as dressing, but I was looking for something creamy when I sat down to make the salad. If you can find it, I recommend using Uncle Dan's Mediterranean Garlic dressing mix (usually found near the ranch dressing mixes) and making your own dressing as directed instead of using premade Caesar dressing. I've only listed Caesar because it is the closest comparable dressing that I can think of. The cooking time listed is the amount of time the salad needs to chill.
Provided by queenofeats
Categories Lunch/Snacks
Time 1h15m
Yield 3 cups, 6 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 7
Steps:
- In a large bowl, mix the dressing and balsamic vinegar together for a minute or two until well combined.
- Add the other ingredients. There is no order that works best here; the dish is meant to be a simple and rustic one.
- If you are using the olives, feel free to add them at this time. My husband isn't fond of olives, so when I make this dish, I typically add them to my portion alone so that he doesn't have to "weed" them out. If there are no picky eaters in your family then just toss them in!
- Toss the salad until all the ingredients are coated in the dressing.
- Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least one hour before serving. This will give the dressing time to thicken up and further coat the other ingredients.
- Serve and enjoy! This is a great compliment to just about any dish and is wonderful for those summer meals when you're looking for something nice and cool to relax with!
Tips:
- Use fresh, seasonal ingredients: This is especially important for the tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions. If you can, buy them from a local farmer's market or organic grocery store.
- Choose a good quality feta cheese: Look for a feta cheese that is made from sheep's milk or a blend of sheep's and goat's milk. Avoid feta cheeses that are made from cow's milk, as they don't have the same flavor or texture.
- Cut the vegetables evenly: This will help them cook evenly and look more appealing in the salad.
- Don't overdress the salad: A little bit of dressing goes a long way. You don't want to drown the salad in dressing, or it will become soggy.
- Serve the salad immediately: This salad is best enjoyed fresh. The vegetables will start to wilt if you let it sit for too long.
Conclusion:
Greek summer salad is a delicious and refreshing dish that is perfect for a hot summer day. It is made with fresh, seasonal ingredients and is a great way to get your daily dose of fruits and vegetables. This salad is also very versatile. You can add or remove ingredients to suit your taste. For example, you could add some grilled chicken or shrimp, or you could use a different type of dressing. No matter how you make it, Greek summer salad is sure to be a hit at your next party or gathering.
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