Perfectly Balanced Mediterranean Salad

Mediterranean salad is a delightful fusion of fresh vegetables, vibrant flavors, and light dressing that can be enjoyed at any meal or as a standalone dish for lunch or dinner. This refreshing salad brings together the best of the Mediterranean diet with its emphasis on whole grains, fruits, nuts, healthy fats, and lean proteins.

The main ingredients in this recipe include cucumbers, tomatoes, red onions, fresh parsley, feta cheese, and olive oil. The dressing is made primarily from lemon juice, extra-virgin olive oil, salt, pepper, and a dash of Dijon mustard to enhance the overall taste. This simple yet delicious salad can be prepared in just 20 minutes and serves 4 people.

• 1 large cucumber
• 3 medium-sized tomatoes
• 1 small red onion
• ¼ cup fresh parsley leaves
• ½ cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
• 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• Salt and pepper to taste

To start, wash the cucumber thoroughly under running water. Slice it lengthwise and remove the seeds with a spoon. Cut the cucumber into thin rounds or half-moons. The tomatoes should be cleaned as well; slice them into thick wedges for maximum flavor. For the red onion, peel off any outer layers and slice it finely.

While the vegetables are being prepared, gather your fresh parsley leaves and remove any brown spots or damaged parts. Chop these roughly to mix in with the salad later on. Now that you have all the necessary ingredients ready, let's move onto assembling the dressing:

1. In a small bowl, whisk together 2 tablespoons of extra-virgin olive oil.
2. Add 1 tablespoon of freshly squeezed lemon juice and stir until blended smoothly.
3. Stir in 1 teaspoon of Dijon mustard to give your salad an extra tangy bite. Adjust the quantity according to personal preference.
4. Season with salt and pepper, making sure everything is evenly distributed throughout the dressing.

The next step involves combining all these elements into one cohesive dish. Start by placing half of the cucumber slices in a large salad bowl. Layer this base with some tomato wedges, followed by another layer of cucumber pieces. Continue alternating between these layers until you have used up most of your ingredients.

At this point, sprinkle in about 2 tablespoons worth of crumbled feta cheese on top if desired. Then add the finely chopped parsley leaves over everything else for color and aroma. Finally, pour over the prepared dressing gradually so that it spreads uniformly across all components.

Carefully toss the salad gently but thoroughly until every piece is well coated with the dressing. If needed, adjust any seasoning adjustments by adding more salt or lemon juice as per your taste buds' requirements. Once satisfied, let this sit for a few minutes before serving to allow flavors time to meld together properly.

Now that you've got yourself a beautifully presented Mediterranean salad, it's ready to be enjoyed either cold right away or chilled overnight which enhances its freshness and crispiness further. Serve alongside grilled chicken, fish fillets, or just plain bread rolls for a complete meal experience reminiscent of the sunny shores where this dish originated.

Mediterranean salads offer not only delicious taste but also numerous health benefits due to their high content of antioxidants found within fruits & vegetables along with heart-healthy fats from olive oil. They provide sustained energy levels throughout your day, making them perfect for busy lifestyles too!