Description
Greek cucumber tomato salad combines fresh Mediterranean ingredients for a refreshing summer side dish. Crisp vegetables, tangy feta cheese, and zesty herbs create a perfect harmony of flavors you will crave again and again.
Ingredients
Scale
- ½ cup feta cheese (optional)
- ¼ cup fresh parsley or basil, chopped
- 2 large cucumbers, sliced (English or Persian cucumbers work best)
- 2 cups cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
- ½ small red onion, thinly sliced
- 3 tbsps olive oil
- 2 tbsps red wine vinegar (or lemon juice)
- 1 tsp Dijon mustard (optional, for extra flavor)
- ½ tsp garlic powder (or 1 small garlic clove, minced)
- ½ tsp dried oregano
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp black pepper
Instructions
- Preparation: Meticulously dice cucumbers into uniform half-moon shapes and chop tomatoes into equivalent sizes, creating a balanced textural foundation for the salad.
- Aromatics: Transform red onion into delicate, translucent slivers that will distribute evenly and complement the vegetable medley without overwhelming the palate.
- Dressing Composition: Whisk olive oil and red wine vinegar together, integrating Dijon mustard to develop a complex, emulsified base with remarkable depth and smooth consistency.
- Seasoning Fusion: Infuse the liquid mixture with garlic powder, oregano, salt, and freshly ground black pepper, ensuring comprehensive spice distribution and aromatic enhancement.
- Final Assembly: Delicately cascade the crafted dressing over the vegetable ensemble, employing a gentle folding technique to coat ingredients without compromising their structural integrity.
- Herbal Accents: Embellish the salad with fresh parsley or basil, introducing herbal brightness, and optional crumbled feta for a tangy, creamy dimension that elevates the overall profile.
- Flavor Melding: Allow the salad to rest for 10-15 minutes, enabling ingredients to absorb and harmonize the dressing’s nuanced flavors, creating a cohesive and vibrant culinary experience.
Notes
- Uniform Chopping Technique: Create consistent, thin half-moon cucumber and tomato slices to ensure even dressing absorption and a visually appealing presentation.
- Onion Preparation Trick: Mince red onions finely to distribute flavor without overwhelming the salad’s delicate balance, reducing potential sharp or bitter notes.
- Dressing Emulsion Strategy: Whisk olive oil and red wine vinegar thoroughly to create a smooth, well-integrated dressing that coats vegetables evenly and enhances overall taste profile.
- Flavor Marination Hack: Let the salad rest 10-15 minutes before serving to allow ingredients to absorb dressing, intensifying the herb and spice notes for a more complex taste experience.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 0 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 350 mg
- Fat: 12 g
- Saturated Fat: 4 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 10 g
- Fiber: 2 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 15 mg