Description
Whip up my go-to Mediterranean Cucumber Tomato Feta Salad! It’s super fresh, easy, and bursting with flavor. Perfect for any meal, even when kitchen chaos strikes!
Ingredients
Scale
- Main Salad Stars:
- 1 English cucumber, de-seeded and chopped
- 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
- The Zesty Dressing:
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese (from a block, please!)
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Fresh Finishers:
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, finely chopped
- Seasoning Essentials:
- Salt, to taste
- Freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Prep Your Veggies:: First things first, let’s get those beautiful veggies chopped up! I usually halve my cherry tomatoes, slice the cucumber into nice bite-sized pieces (I like half-moons!), and thinly slice that red onion. Oh, and for the onion, a little trick I learned the hard way: rinse those slices under cold water for a minute or two. It mellows out their bite, truly. I swear my eyes water less when I do this! This is where you really start to see those vibrant colors come to life. So exciting!
- Whip Up the Dressing:: Now for the magic! In a small bowl, whisk together your glorious extra virgin olive oil, that tangy red wine vinegar, and a good sprinkle of dried oregano. Season with a tiny pinch of salt (remember, feta is salty!) and some freshly ground black pepper. Give it a good whisk until it’s all emulsified and looks like a beautiful, slightly thick dressing. I always give it a little taste test here, adjusting as needed. This is where I sometimes get a little heavy-handed with the vinegar, but hey, it’s all part of the fun!
- Combine the Stars:: Grab a large mixing bowl – you want plenty of room for tossing later! Add your chopped cucumbers, tomatoes, and the rinsed red onion slices. They’re already looking so good together, aren’t they? I love how the colors pop, making it feel like a rainbow in a bowl. This is the stage where I start to get really excited, knowing that deliciousness is just moments away. Sometimes I even sneak a piece of cucumber, shhh!
- Add the Feta & Herbs:: Now for the good stuff! Gently crumble that delicious block of feta directly over your veggies. If you’re using pre-crumbled, well, I guess that works too, but the fresh stuff is just *chef’s kiss*. Then, sprinkle in your finely chopped fresh parsley. The smell right now? Oh, it’s heavenly. Like a little garden exploded in your kitchen, in the best way possible. Don’t be shy with the parsley, it adds such a lovely freshness!
- Dress & Toss Gently:: Pour your whisked dressing over all those beautiful ingredients. Now, with a gentle hand (or two spoons, which is usually my chaotic method), toss everything together. You want to make sure every single piece of veggie and feta gets coated in that glorious dressing. Be careful not to mash the tomatoes, though! I’ve been known to get a bit too enthusiastic and end up with squashed tomatoes. Oops! It’s all about that gentle, loving touch.
- Chill & Serve:: Cover your bowl and, if you have the time, pop it in the fridge for at least 15-30 minutes. This little chill time really lets all those amazing flavors get to know each other. Honestly, it makes such a difference! Before serving, give it one last gentle toss and maybe a final sprinkle of fresh parsley or a crack of black pepper. It should look vibrant, smell incredible, and taste like pure Mediterranean sunshine. Enjoy, my friend!