Easy, Delicious & Healthy-Authentic Greek Cucumber Salad Recipe
By k@ri
Delicious, Easy and Healthy
Mediterranean Diet Food
Summer is almost here and you know what that means...picnics, barbeques and get-togethers! Wouldn't you love to bring something different this year. Most people think of potato salad, macaroni salad or coleslaw when they think of picnic salads. This year think Greek salad.
Greek salad is wonderfully refreshing and healthy. It can withstand sitting out for several hours without going bad. In fact, the longer it sits, the better it tastes. This is one salad that is actually better at room temperature. And it is healthy! All your friends who are dieting will love you when you arrive with this salad.
I love this recipe. It was given to me by a friend many years ago. This is an authentic Greek salad, and contains no lettuce. This is true Mediterranean fare! The Mediterranean diet is a healthy diet that tastes great. Greek salad is even better the second day. Try this recipe and you will agree...healthy eating can be delicious!
You can leave out the feta cheese if you prefer vegetarian. It tastes great either way.
Get In the Mood! Watch these clips from my favorite Greek movie.
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Ingredients
1 pint of Grape Tomatoes
1 Cucumber
1 Green Pepper
1 Small Red Onion
1 cup Kalamata Olives
8 oz Chunk of Feta Cheese
2 tablespoons of Fresh Lemon Juice
2 tablespoons of Vinegar
1 teaspoon of Oregano
2 teaspoons of Parsley
1 teaspoon of Salt
1/2 teaspoon of Pepper
1/2 cup of Olive Oil
Prepare the Vegetables, Olive and Cheese
If you use cherry tomatoes, cut them in half. You can also cut the grape tomatoes in half if you like. I don't cut the grape tomatoes. Place the tomatoes in a large bowl.
Peel and seed the cucumber. You can eliminate the seeding if you use an English cucumber. Cut the cucumber in half length-wise, then slice 1/8 to 1/4 inch thick. Put the cucumber in the same bowl as the tomatoes.
Cut the green pepper in half. Remove the seeds and the white pith. Thinly slice the green pepper from top to bottom. Place sliced green pepper into the bowl with the tomatoes and cucumbers.
Peel and half (top to bottom) the red onion. Thinly slice and place in the bowl with the other vegetables. You may use 1/2 of the onion only if you like, I like it better with all of the onion.
Drain the Kalamata olives and put them in the bowl with the vegetables. You can use either pitted or with pits, it's just easier to eat if they are pitted.
Crumble the feta cheese over the vegetables and olives.
Prepare the Dressing
Mix the lemon juice and vinegar in a small bowl. I use red wine or white vinegar, but feel free to experiment with your favorite type. Add the oregano, parsley, salt and pepper and stir well until the salt is absorbed. I use dried oregano and parsley, but if you would like to use fresh adjust the amounts accordingly. (Probably 1 tablespoon of oregano and 2 tablespoons of parsley.)
**A note about juicing a lemon: You will get more juice from a lemon if it is at room temperature. If you have kept them in the refrigerator, you can heat them up in the microwave. Heat for 30 seconds and an additional 30 seconds if needed. You can freeze any left over juice for another day.
Whisk in the olive oil 1 tablespoon at a time until it is well emulsified. I usually use extra virgin olive oil, but regular olive oil tastes OK also.
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Assemble the Salad
Pour the dressing over the vegetables, olives and cheese in the large bowl. Mix the salad well. Cover the salad and place it in the refrigerator for 2 to 24 hours. (It tastes better the longer it sits.)
Remove the salad from the refrigerator 15 to 30 minutes prior to serving it. Olive oil tends to harden in the refrigerator, and this does not look very appetizing. Let the salad come close to room temperature, mix it well, transfer it to an attractive serving bowl and enjoy!
Comments
Thanks, Peggy. It is easy & yummy!
Kalimera!!
Bola & nostimo!! I think thats right even though its all Greek to me!!
:)
Thanks compu-smart. I think I heard that line in "My Big Fat Greek Wedding" the other night.
I appreciate your helpful hints and suggestions--they cut down on trial and error!
Thanks mamakaren! This salad really tastes best made the day before, but I can never stop myself the day of. Enjoy
You're right! It looks like all the stuff they are asking me to eat! Do you think I could substitute regular black olives for the kalamatta? my family and I don't care for the strong taste of the kalamatta, but love the black. What do you suppose would be the difference health wise?
Regular black olives taste good also! I have made it both ways. I love kalamatta, but my family agrees with your's...too strong. The main thing is making it taste good for people to eat.
I will try to post some other good recipes for the Med diet next weekend. Of all diets, this one looks most appetizing to me!!
I say this as I still continue to eat raw...I miss my cooked food~!
How long will you be eating raw? Are you seeing great benefits?
I would LOVE more Med recipes! I found a great one for pasta fagioli that I can't wait to try.
I LOVE eating raw...although I told my daughter I would only do it for one month. I feel much better...never get heartburn, think better, skin is better...all those unbelieveable diet promises coming true.
I doubt, being how it has changed my life, I will ever stop...I miss cooked food, but not that much. That is why I am sharing my recipes. Some one may enjoy them.
My recipe for Greek Salad would qualify as Med Diet, try it...it is quite good!
Good Luck!!!
Namely.....me! Thanks for sharing!
You can do it! Best of Luck.
Nice work, k@ri - one of my favourite dishes. Full of health, flavour and goodness, especially when washed down with a glass of freshly squeezed orange juice :)
Thanks Sufidreamer! If it meets a genuine Greek's approval, I need to call my friend and thank her! Thanks for stopping by :D
lol - not a genuine Greek, but hopefully an adopted one by now :D
K@ri, guess what I will be having for lunch today? That sounds delicious. Thanks so much for posting! I'll now be checking out more of your other Hubs in hopes that you can do my meal planning for me!
Sufi, when I saw the words "especially when washed down by. . ." I was hoping you would say "a glass of red wine." LMAO! Wondering if I may have a little problem. . .? I wasn't thinking of O.J.!
lol - red wine is certainly a good choice. If you really want to go for the alcohol, a glass of ouzo is even better. Two or three of those, and everything goes wobbly ;)
Sufidreamer, How long have you lived there? Your house is beautiful! I guess you weren't kidding when you said the OJ was fresh squeezed.
MotherHubber, I hope you enjoy, I always do! Funny, OJ wasn't exactly what I was expecting to read at the time either.
Sufidreamer, I've never tried ouzo, guess I better stick to one when I do! :D
My favorite salad! I love vegetable salads in general, but this one is the best!
ReuVera, Thanks for stopping by! I love Greek salad, also...whether I make it or someone makes it for me. :D
This salad is right up my alley. I love a good Greek salad, and never have one unless I am in a Greek restaurant.This is usually when I am on vacation. That is until now. Thanks.
R Burow, I am glad you like it. I really love this salad and so do the kids!
Love Greek Salad, especially eaten by the side of a sunny harbour on a Greek Island. Haaaaaaaaa
ethel, rub it in...rub it in :D This salad is as close as I have gotten to that sunny harbour so far! LOL
Now THAT'S a salad! Yum!
Ellie, Now I'm hungry! I always am when I see the pictures. It is a fabulous salad! Thanks :D
Greek salad is one of the best dishes I ever tried. Unfortunately it is always impossible to find a good one in US, at least in DC area, - they always add lettuce to it :(
Misha, Greek salad is the best...lettuce does not belong in the mix! I guess that is why I make my own. :D
Thanks for the recipe...looks fabulous!! =-D
caitlinlea, Thanks, it is a wonderful salad. Very refreshing in the summer!
This is one of my favorites summer salad recipe, it's called Horiatiki Salata (country/village salad). Although, it is enough to leave the bowl in the fridge for 20 – 30 minutes, this will allow the salt to soak into the tomatoes and bring out the wonderful juice.
Alessia, Thanks for giving me the correct name! :D And I agree, it is wonderful after just 20 or 30 minutes.
Very nice recipe. I love Greek salad, and now I know how to make it properly, thanks!
Moon Daisy, I'm glad you like it! I also love Greek salad and I get alot of use out of this recipe. :D
This salad looks so delicious! I just love anything with Feta cheese and/or Kalamata olvies. Cheers!
askjanbrass, I love this salad...and, as you, I love just about anything with Feta cheese and Kalamata! Thanks & Enjoy! :D
Delicious hub! It makes me hungry. I enjoyed reading it. Thanks.
Sounds delicious!! I am a big feta cheese fan, use it in lots of dishes, must be the greek and Italian junkie in me!! Lovely hub, Can't wait to try!!!
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Peggy W 3 years ago
Yum! Sounds delicious and easy!