Healthy Mediterranean Salad with Feta

Looking for a refreshing and healthy recipe that is perfect for summer? Our Healthy Mediterranean Salad with Feta will be the highlight of your meal. This salad is not only delicious but also packed with essential nutrients, making it an excellent choice for those looking to enjoy a balanced diet.

The key ingredients include cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, Kalamata olives, and feta cheese. All these ingredients are combined in a simple yet flavorful dressing of olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and dried oregano. The cooking time for this recipe is approximately 20 minutes, and it serves four people.

Begin by washing the vegetables thoroughly under cold water to ensure they are clean before use. Slice the cucumber into thin rounds, and cut the tomatoes into bite-sized pieces. Finely chop the red onion until you have a small dice size. Drain the Kalamata olives if they come in oil, rinse them briefly, then pat dry with paper towels.

In a large mixing bowl, gently combine all the vegetables along with the drained olives and feta cheese. The feta adds a salty tang that complements the refreshing flavors of cucumber and tomatoes beautifully. Once you have mixed everything together well, set aside this salad while you prepare your dressing.

To make the dressing, whisk together olive oil, freshly squeezed lemon juice, salt to taste, ground black pepper, and dried oregano in a small bowl until thoroughly blended. This simple mixture of ingredients will add zest and freshness to your salad without overpowering its natural flavors.

Once you have prepared both the salad components and dressing separately, gently drizzle about 1/3 cup of dressing over the top of the vegetable mixture. Gently toss everything together using a spoon or fork until all pieces are well coated with the dressing. Serve immediately for best results.

• Wash vegetables
• Slice cucumber into rounds
• Cut tomatoes into bite-sized pieces
• Finely chop red onions
• Drain Kalamata olives if necessary
• Mix all ingredients together in a bowl
• Prepare dressing with olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and oregano
• Gently toss the salad with the dressing before serving

This Mediterranean salad is incredibly versatile. You can serve it as a side dish or even as a light lunch accompanied by some pita bread or whole grain crackers. If you prefer more of an appetizer, consider adding some grilled chicken or shrimp on top for extra protein.

The combination of fresh ingredients makes this dish particularly refreshing in warm weather conditions. It’s also low in calories and high in fiber, making it a wonderful choice for maintaining good health while indulging your taste buds.

For those who enjoy variety, you can easily adjust the recipe to suit different tastes by adding other elements like crumbled sun-dried tomatoes or arugula leaves. Feel free to experiment with various types of olives too if you have some in your pantry! Adding a touch of garlic powder or a pinch of cumin could also enhance the overall flavor profile.

Remember, this salad can be prepared ahead of time and refrigerated for up to three days. However, it’s best enjoyed fresh when possible since the freshness of the vegetables plays a crucial role in its taste. If you want to make this dish even more delightful, try drizzling some extra virgin olive oil over the top before serving.

In conclusion, our Healthy Mediterranean Salad with Feta is not only an appealing visual treat but also a feast for your taste buds. It’s simple enough that anyone can prepare it easily yet complex enough in terms of flavors that even seasoned chefs will appreciate its complexity. Whether you're hosting friends or having a quiet night at home, this salad offers a delightful addition to any meal.