Description
Authentic Horiatiki is a refreshing, traditional Mediterranean salad that celebrates the pure, vibrant flavors of sun-ripened produce. By omitting lettuce and using high-quality ingredients like juicy tomatoes, crisp English cucumbers, bell peppers, Kalamata olives, and a large slab of creamy feta cheese, this dish offers an authentic taste of Greece. It is a simple, healthy, and cooling meal perfectly suited for warm days or as a vibrant side dish.
Ingredients
1 medium red onion, thinly sliced into half moons
4 medium vine-ripened tomatoes, chopped into bite-sized pieces
1 English cucumber, partially peeled and sliced into half moons
1 green bell pepper, ringed or chopped
1 handful pitted Kalamata olives
1 1/2 teaspoons dried oregano
Kosher salt to taste
1/4 cup high-quality extra virgin olive oil
1–2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
7 ounces Greek feta block (kept in brine)
Instructions
Prepare the red onions by soaking them in a bowl of ice water mixed with one teaspoon of red wine vinegar for 10 minutes to mellow their bite.
Drain the onions and pat dry.
In a large serving bowl, combine the chopped tomatoes, cucumber, green bell pepper, and olives.
Add the prepared onions to the vegetable mixture.
Arrange the large slab of feta cheese on top of the vegetables.
Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil over the salad.
Sprinkle generously with dried oregano and kosher salt to taste.
Serve immediately, allowing the tomato juices and olive oil to form a delicious dressing at the bottom of the bowl.
Notes
To keep the red onion flavor mild without vinegar, soak them in plain ice water while preparing the rest of the vegetables. For the best flavor, slice the vegetables into large, rustic chunks rather than small dice. Serve with crusty bread to soak up the leftover oil, tomato juices, and vinegar at the bottom of the bowl.
- Prep Time: 15
- Category: Mediterranean Diet
- Method: No-cook
- Cuisine: Greek
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1.5 cups
- Calories: 245
- Sugar: 5g
- Sodium: 680mg
- Fat: 20g
- Saturated Fat: 7g
- Carbohydrates: 12g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 8g
- Cholesterol: 35mg