Horiatiki, or traditional Greek village salad, is a simple and fresh dish that showcases the flavors of ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and briny Kalamata olives. Topped with creamy Greek feta cheese and a drizzle of fruity olive oil, this salad brings the vibrant essence of Mediterranean cuisine to your table. It’s the perfect light side dish for grilled meats, seafood, or enjoyed on its own as a refreshing meal.
Ingredients:
- ¾ pound tomatoes (Campari, cocktail, or cherry tomatoes), cut into bite-sized quarters
- 1 English cucumber or 3-4 Persian cucumbers, halved lengthwise and sliced into ½-inch pieces
- 1 medium green bell pepper, cored, seeded, and cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup pitted Kalamata olives
- ½ cup red onion, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup fruity extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 8 ounces Greek sheep’s milk feta cheese, drained and cut into triangles
- 2 tablespoons capers, drained and rinsed
Instructions:
- Prepare the Vegetables: In a large mixing bowl, combine the quartered tomatoes, cucumber slices, bell pepper pieces, Kalamata olives, and thinly sliced red onion.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a petite bowl, blend the extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, kosher salt, and freshly cracked black pepper by whisking until everything is thoroughly mixed.
- Toss the Salad: Pour the dressing over the vegetables and gently toss to coat all the ingredients evenly.
- Add the Feta and Capers: Arrange the triangle-shaped feta cheese pieces on top of the salad and sprinkle with the drained capers for an added burst of flavor.
- Serve: Serve immediately or allow the salad to rest for 10 minutes for the flavors to meld. Enjoy with crusty bread or as a side to your favorite Mediterranean dishes.
Conclusion:
This authentic Horiatiki salad is a refreshing, vibrant dish bursting with the flavors of ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and briny olives. The creamy feta cheese and zesty capers add a delightful contrast, making it the perfect accompaniment to any meal.
Authentic Horiatiki (Traditional Greek Village Salad)
A fresh and flavorful Greek village salad featuringripe tomatoes, cucumbers, bell pepper, olives, and feta cheese, dressed with asimple olive oil and red wine vinegar dressing.
Ingredients
- ¾ pound tomatoes Campari, cocktail, or cherry tomatoes, cut into bite-sized quarters
- 1 English cucumber or 3-4 Persian cucumbers halved lengthwise and sliced into ½-inch pieces
- 1 medium green bell pepper cored, seeded, and cut into bite-sized pieces
- 1 cup pitted Kalamata olives
- ½ cup red onion thinly sliced
- ¼ cup fruity extra-virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- 8 ounces Greek sheep’s milk feta cheese drained and cut into triangles
- 2 tablespoons capers drained and rinsed
Instructions
- Prepare the Vegetables: In a large mixing bowl, combine the quartered tomatoes, cucumber slices, bell pepper pieces, Kalamata olives, and thinly sliced red onion.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a petite bowl, blend the extra-virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, dried oregano, kosher salt, and freshly cracked black pepper by whisking until everything is thoroughly mixed.
- Toss the Salad: Pour the dressing over the vegetables and gently toss to coat all the ingredients evenly.
- Add the Feta and Capers: Arrange the triangle-shaped feta cheese pieces on top of the salad and sprinkle with the drained capers for an added burst of flavor.
- Serve: Serve immediately or allow the salad to rest for 10 minutes for the flavors to meld. Enjoy with crusty bread or as a side to your favorite Mediterranean dishes.