With spring just around the corner I couldn’t not make this classic Greek salad. It’s wonderful to eat year-round, but it is really ideal to enjoy in the warmer weather. In Greece this is called Horiatiki salad, which translates to “village salad.” It’s typically made with the fresh vegetables from the gardens of local villagers. One the hallmarks of this salad you’ll notice right away is that there is no lettuce! This is because lettuce isn’t typically grown in home gardens in Greece.
Like many Greek dishes, this one features fresh vegetables simply prepared with a light dressing and feta. One of the keys to preparing it is tossing the tomato and cucumber with a pinch of sea salt. This brings out the flavors in the vegetables by encouraging the juices to be released. Then you simply add a light, flavorful dressing and place feta on top. If you want to add lettuce or any other vegetable you have on hand you may certainly do so. As you can tell, there is always flexibility when it comes to preparing classic Greek dishes. Use what you have on hand and I’m sure it will taste delicious.
As you’ve probably determined, feta is hugely popular in Greece. In America there are many places to buy it, but I encourage you to be picky when you do. A proper feta should be very creamy. It will crumble well but not be dry or flaky. On this salad the whole brick is placed on top. However, if you are serving it to company or for a crowd it might be easier to crumble the feta evenly over the salad so everyone is able to get an even amount. There is really no wrong way to do it, it will taste wonderful either way.
We often serve this salad with grilled chicken kebabs (link), oregano chicken (link), or a lovely light fish for dinner. It makes for a wonderful light, healthy meal for the whole family. I hope you enjoy this salad and make it part of your meal plan this week!
HORIATIKI SALAD | GREEK VILLAGE SALAD
It a wonderful salad to eat year-round, but it is really ideal to enjoy in the warmer weather. In Greece this is called Horiatiki salad, which translates to “village salad.”
Makes 8 Servings
Timing: 10 minutes
Ingredients
8 vine ripe tomatoes, cut in 1'' pieces
1 English cucumber, peeled, halved and sliced in 1/3'' slices
1/2 cup kalamata olives
1/2 red onion, sliced thin
6 oz feta, crumbled
3 tbsp capers
1 tsp dried oregano
sea salt, to taste
Red Wine Vinaigrette (recipe below)
Instructions
Add your tomatoes and cucumbers into a large mixing bowl and toss with sea salt (I use one tsp)
Add tomatoes and cucumbers into your serving bowl and top with your red onion, olives, and capers.
Top with your crumbled feta
Drizzle dressing over the salad
Garnish with dried oregano & enjoy!
RED WINE VINIAGRETTE
Ingredients
2 parts olive oil
1 part red wine vinegar
salt, to taste
pepper, to taste
dried oregano
Whisk all ingredients in a bowl and use to top your favorite salads!
Nikki Glekas is the owner of Nikki Glekas Events, a full-service catering and events company located in Stamford, CT. She is currently operating with COVID-safe procedures and is happy to discuss your event and catering needs with you. To discuss further please contact team@nikkiglekasevents.com or call 203.658.8659.