Greek Salad, also known as Choriatiki or Horiatiki salad, translates to "country or village salad" in Greek. However, don't be fooled by the "Greek Salads" you may have tried abroad, as the authentic version might surprise you. The traditional Horiatiki Salad does not include lettuce and vinegar is a matter of personal preference.
The heart of the Horiatiki Salad is a medley of ripe and juicy sliced tomatoes, crisp sliced cucumbers, sharp red onion, chunks of feta cheese, salty Kalamata olives, and a generous drizzle of Greek olive oil, seasoned with salt and oregano.
Available on every restaurant menu in Greece, Horiatiki Salad is a staple dish enjoyed by Greeks at home, especially during the summer season when all ingredients must be at their freshest.
Ingredients:
- 3 medium tomatoes sliced or chopped into a bite-size pieces
- 1 -2 small cucumbers, peeled or not, but sliced into thick half-rounds
- 1 small red onion, sliced into thin slivers
- 20 Kalamata (black) olives (or as many as you want)
- 200 -300 gr. of feta cheese at least, crumbled
- Parthena Mediterranean Sea Salt
- 1/3 cup of Parthena Extra Virgin Olive Oil
- 2 teaspoons of Parthena Greek Mountain Oregano
** Optional
- capers or red or green peppers
- 1/4 cup Red wine vinegar or fresh lemon juice
Directions:
This Greek Salad is perfect for novice and casual cooks, as the recipe is quick and straightforward. The aroma of fresh ingredients will tantalize your senses as you slice, chop, and crumble, making it difficult to resist taking a taste along the way.
1. Let’s start making the horiatiki salad. Wash the tomatoes and cucumbers and let them dry.
2. Cut and slice the tomatoes, onions and cucumbers, and place them in a large bowl.
3. Add olives and feta cheese (and capers or peppers if using). You can crumble the feta, add cubed feta or as is common in Greece add a large slab on top.
4. Now sprinkle with salt and olive oil. Add oregano and toss gently. The salad is ready to be served.
Horiatiki Salad is not only a great standalone dish, but it also complements many other meals perfectly. The real magic happens at the end with "papara" - a tradition of soaking bread in the flavorful juice of the Greek salad. The mixture of olive oil and the juices of the vegetables, especially the tomatoes, combined with the bold flavor of the olives and oregano, is a truly tantalizing experience.
