Salade Méditerranéenne / Mediterranean Salad Recipe

Prepare lettuce

Wash the romaine lettuce thoroughly under cold running water. Spin or pat dry. Remove core and slice the leaves crosswise into 1-inch wide ribbons. If using additional greens, tear into bite-size pieces. Place 4 cups of prepared romaine (and optional greens) into a large salad bowl.

Cucumber

Peel if desired. Halve lengthwise and scoop out seeds if watery. Slice thinly into half-moons then chop finely so pieces are approximately 1/4 inch. Measure 1/2 cup and add to the bowl with lettuce.

Tomatoes

If using Roma tomatoes, core and dice into small, even 1/4-inch pieces. If using cherry tomatoes, quarter them. Measure 1 cup and add to the bowl.

Red bell pepper

Remove stem and seeds, then finely dice the pepper into 1/4-inch pieces. Measure 1/2 cup and add to the bowl.

Red onion

Peel and halve the onion. Slice thin, then finely chop to yield 1/4 cup. To mellow raw onion flavor, you can soak the chopped onion in cold water for 5 minutes and drain. Add chopped onion to the bowl.

Feta

Crumble the feta with your fingers or press lightly with a fork to create a 'crushed' texture. Measure 3/4 cup crumbled feta and sprinkle over the top of the chopped vegetables and greens.

Optional garnishes

If using, halve pitted Kalamata olives and scatter them over the salad. Chop parsley finely and sprinkle 1 tablespoon for freshness.

Make the dressing

In a small bowl or jar combine 3 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, 1.5 tablespoons red wine vinegar, 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice, 1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard, 1/2 teaspoon minced garlic, 1/2 teaspoon dried oregano, 1/4 teaspoon honey (optional), 1/2 teaspoon salt and 1/4 teaspoon black pepper. Whisk vigorously or shake in a jar until the dressing is emulsified and slightly thickened. Taste and adjust salt, pepper or acidity if needed.

Dress the salad

Right before serving, drizzle about half to three-quarters of the dressing over the salad (start with 2 tablespoons). Gently toss using salad tongs until ingredients are evenly coated. Add more dressing to taste, reserving any extra for guests. Finish with a light sprinkle of additional crumbled feta or cracked black pepper if desired.