The Greek salad is a simple yet flavorful dish that reflects the essence of Mediterranean cuisine. It is a fresh combination of crunchy vegetables, feta cheese, Kalamata olives, and aromatic herbs, enhanced with a dressing made of high-quality olive oil, red wine vinegar, and spices. It is perfect as a side dish or light main course. Vorspeise, but it can also serve as a satisfying main dish when paired with grilled meat or fish. Hauptgericht It can be enjoyed as a light meal, especially on hot summer days.

Main ingredients:

• Tomatoes: Fresh and juicy, they add a sweet and refreshing touch to the salad.
• Cucumbers: Crisp and cooling, they perfectly complement the texture of the vegetables.
• Bell pepper: Green or red bell peppers are typically used, adding a sweet and colorful touch to the salad.
• Red onion: Adds a mildly spicy and crunchy note.
• Kalamata olives: These olives are essential for the authentic taste of the Greek salad.
• Feta cheese: A key ingredient that adds a salty and creamy flavor, perfectly complementing the vegetables.
• Extra virgin olive oil: It is essential for the dressing, giving the salad a smooth and delicious touch.
• Red wine vinegar: For a subtle acidity that balances the flavors.
• Oregano: The Mediterranean herb that gives the salad its distinctive flavor.

Preparation:

1. Prepare the vegetables: Cut the tomatoes into large chunks, the cucumbers into rounds or half-moons, and the bell peppers into strips. Slice the red onion thinly.
2. Assemble the salad: Add the prepared vegetables, Kalamata olives, and feta cheese (either cubed or in larger pieces) to a large bowl.
3. Prepare the dressing: Combine olive oil, red wine vinegar, oregano, salt, and pepper in a small jar. Shake or stir until the dressing is well mixed.
4. Finish the salad: Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss everything so that the ingredients are evenly coated. There's no need to stir too vigorously to preserve the texture and appearance of the vegetables.
5. Serve: The Greek salad is served immediately, ideally with fresh bread or as a side dish to grilled meats like souvlaki or gyros.

Tips:

• Optional additions: If you want to add a personal touch, you can include a few capers or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice.
• For a more filling version: The Greek salad can also be enhanced with green olives or a serving of quinoa to make it more filling and serve it as a complete meal.

The Greek salad is a true symbol of simplicity and freshness, offering an explosion of Mediterranean flavors in a bowl. It is a healthy, easy-to-make, and incredibly versatile dish!