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It's funny how some foods can create a memory and then later take you, almost instantly, back in time. I can remember the first time I ever tasted a Greek salad. It was years ago, in my college days, in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. My sister Marlene, picked me up one day and treated me to lunch at a charming little Mediterranean restaurant overlooking beautiful Lake Michigan. I ordered their house salad, not being sure what to expect, but when it arrived at our table, I was so pleasantly surprised! I loved the juicy tomatoes, crisp lettuce and cucumbers along with the salty Feta cheese and Kalamata olives. The dressing was fresh and vibrant, and perfectly complemented the other ingredients.
Ever since that day, I have been "hooked" on Greek Salad. When I finished school and began cooking more, I embarked on the quest of finding a really good Greek dressing. I can't tell you how many recipes I tried and discarded; "too bland", "too garlicky", "too oily", "too vinegary"........ and so it went until several years ago I stumbled on this recipe. Hip, hip, hooray!! It was almost perfect!! Over the years I tweaked it a little here and there, and now, it has become our "house dressing". If you sneak a peak into my refrig you will almost always find a big Ball jar of this fine condiment. It lasts for several weeks, however, it never stays around that long at my house! If I'm having house guests, I will triple or quadruple the recipe and it's always well received.
- For the Salad Dressing:
- ½ cup olive oil
- ¼ cup canola oil
- 2-3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 3 teaspoons dried oregano
- 3 teaspoons fresh minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon dried basil
- 1 teaspoon fresh mint leaves chopped fine*
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- ½ teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ½ teaspoon fresh ground black pepper or to taste
- For the Salad
- 8 cups lettuce romaine is traditional but I have tried a variety of different lettuces
- 3 plum tomatoes cut in wedges (I actually use whatever kind of tomatoes look the freshest and prettiest at the market)
- 1 English cucumber sliced or 1 regular cucumber, peeled, seeded and sliced
- 1 small red onion thinly sliced
- 1 green yellow or red bell pepper (seeded and cut into rings or sliced)
- ¾ cup cannellini beans
- ¾ cup tiny potatoes cooked till tender and cooled if you don't have tiny potatoes just diced up a large potato and cook till tender, it just won't be as cute 🙂
- ¾ cup Feta cheese crumbled (or to taste)
- ¼ cup Kalamata olives halved
-
Place all salad dressing ingredients in a glass jar. Cover and shake well.
-
Chill in fridge for a couple of hours before using to blend flavors.
-
Place the salad ingredients in a large bowl. Pour dressing over to coat lightly; toss to combine.
Sometimes I make this salad without the lettuce. Particularly when the tomatoes are fresh from the garden, I slice them in wedges and combine with whatever other vegetables I have along with the Feta and olives. I might add fresh basil and fresh oregano if I have it.
Artichoke hearts and different colored peppers are fun in this salad too. Honestly, the sky is the limit! Have fun with it!
*The mint leaves are optional, but they add a delicious, unique, authentic flavor to the dressing, not minty at all!
Sandy says
I made this last week (& featured it on my blog today), & it was delicious!
The Cafe Sucre Farine says
Thanks for the encouragement regarding the blog and the editing help - I can always use another set of eyes!
Anonymous says
Hmmmm.... That looks wonderful. And I'm looking for a 'house dressing' I can always count on. somehow I just don't know how to 'do' dressing and end up throwing everything in. And it tastes like it. I want to try this and if it works, just *keep* it!
I heard of you because of a comment on the KA flour site. You have a lovely blog. Happy First Month Birthday.
Oh, and from one editor to another, it's 'complEment' when you mean something goes with something else (the dressing complements the salad) and complIment when you want to say something nice (the salad - and the blog - look delicious).
Sandy says
Just last night DH told me he had a hankerin' for some Greek salad.. so I'm going to go make this dressing & guess what's for lunch tomorrow?!
kellypea says
Fun to see what others' Greek salads look like 🙂 It's our go to salad as well, but with very little olive oil and a squeeze of fresh lemon to dress. This is making me want one for lunch, you know 🙂
sweetpeaskitchen.com says
I have been having such a craving for Greek food lately...I need to make this! Thanks for a delicious looking recipe..I can't wait to try it! 🙂
sweetpeaskitchen.com says
I have been having such a craving for Greek food lately...I need to make this! Thanks for a delicious looking recipe..I can't wait to try it! 🙂