Authentic Greek Salad

Did you know that authentic Greek salad does not contain lettuce as an ingredient? I did not know this until last week.

Authentic Greek Salad

While on vacation in the Outer Banks, my friend Eleni (who is from Greece) created a Greek feast for our group. Her menu included:

• Homemade Spanikopita
• Pastichio (she made the traditional casserole, but made a mini version that substituted spinach for the meat for the three vegetarians in our group – it was delicious!)
• Homemade bread (seriously)
• Greek Salad

I helped with the cooking and Eleni assigned me to cut up vegetables for the Greek salad. She informed me that the real deal does not have lettuce as an ingredient. Seriously. But it was truly delicious, and a great accompaniment to the pasta.

Authentic Greek Salad

3 or 4 tomatoes, chopped into wedges
1 English cucumber, cut into slices
1 medium yellow onion, chopped
1 green pepper, chopped
2/3 cup of pitted calamata olives
1 large handful of fresh parsley leaves
About ½ cup of reduced fat feta cheese, broken into small pieces
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil (add more or less to your taste)
¼ cup balsamic vinegar (add more or less to your taste)
Salt & pepper to taste

1)    Prepare vegetables and add to a large bowl.

2)    Mix in the feta cheese, olives and parsley.

3)    In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil and balsamic vinegar. Pour onto the salad and mix well.

Makes enough salad (as a side salad) for about 6 people.

Friends at the Beach (Eleni is in the middle)

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