Introduction:
Elevate your daily dining experience with a timeless classic – the Greek salad. Bursting with fresh ingredients and vibrant flavors, this salad is a true Mediterranean delight that never fails to satisfy. Crafted with crisp romaine lettuce, creamy feta cheese, juicy tomatoes, refreshing cucumbers, tangy red onions, briny kalamata olives, zesty banana peppers, and fragrant parsley, each bite offers a symphony of textures and tastes. Paired with a homemade Greek vinaigrette, this salad is a celebration of wholesome ingredients and culinary mastery.
Ingredients:
- Romaine lettuce
- Chickpeas
- Tomatoes
- Cucumbers
- Feta cheese
- Red onion
- Kalamata olives
- Banana peppers
- Fresh chopped parsley
For the Homemade Greek Vinaigrette:
- ½ cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- ¼ cup fresh lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
- 1 tablespoon dried oregano
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ½ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions:
- Prepare the Salad Ingredients:
- Wash and chop the romaine lettuce into bite-sized pieces.
- Rinse the chickpeas and drain them thoroughly.
- Dice the tomatoes and cucumbers into uniform pieces.
- Crumble the feta cheese into small chunks.
- Thinly slice the red onion.
- Pit and slice the kalamata olives.
- Prepare the banana peppers by slicing them into rings.
- Chop the fresh parsley.
- Assemble the Salad:
- In a large salad bowl, combine the romaine lettuce, chickpeas, tomatoes, cucumbers, feta cheese, red onion, kalamata olives, banana peppers, and chopped parsley. Toss gently to mix evenly.
- Make the Homemade Greek Vinaigrette:
- In a small mason jar, combine the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, dried oregano, salt, and black pepper. Tightly close the lid and shake well until all ingredients are emulsified.
- Dress the Salad:
- Drizzle the desired amount of homemade Greek vinaigrette over the salad, tossing gently to coat the ingredients evenly. Add more or less dressing according to personal preference, and reserve any excess for later use.
- Serve and Enjoy:
- Transfer the dressed Greek salad to serving plates or bowls. Optionally, serve with toasted pita bread on the side for added texture and flavor.
- Garnish with additional parsley or a sprinkle of feta cheese if desired.
- Enjoy this flavorful and nutritious Greek salad as a light lunch, refreshing side dish, or satisfying main course.
Conclusion:
This authentic Greek salad with homemade vinaigrette is a testament to the beauty of simplicity and the art of Mediterranean cuisine. With fresh ingredients and a perfectly balanced dressing, each bite is a celebration of flavor and freshness. Whether enjoyed on its own or paired with your favorite protein, this salad is sure to delight your taste buds and leave you craving more. Elevate your dining experience with this timeless classic and savor the taste of Greece in every mouthful.
Authentic Greek Salad with Homemade Vinaigrette
A good Greek salad never gets old. I can honestly eat one every day! This one is made with romaine lettuce 3, chickpeas, tomatoes , cucumbers , feta cheese, red onion ), kalamata olives, banana peppers and fresh chopped parsley • all tossed in a homemade Greek vinaigrette. I like to switch up the proteins by sometimes adding chicken or salmon instead of the chickpeas and enjoy with some toasted pita bread.
To make the Greek vinaigrette add the following ingredients to a small mason jar, tightly close the lid and shake well:
•
½ cup extra virgin olive oil.
2 tablespoons red wine vinegar.
¼ cup fresh lemon juice.
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard.
1 tbsp. dried oregano.
1 tsp. salt.
½ tsp. black pepper.
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Add as much or as little dressing to the salad for your preferred taste and save the rest for later. It was so darn delicious. Hope you’re having a great day!