A Classic Mediterranean Salad

A light lunch on its own, or an accompaniment to something bigger, this Classic Mediterranean Salad has what it takes to become the stuff of legend. The sharpness of the lemon and red wine vinegar marry perfectly with the cool feta and crisp basil, and will light up the taste buds when paired with a loaf of freshly baked homemade bread. So, whether it’s a health kick, or just a craving for raw vegetables, let’s put that salad bowl to good use and knock up a simple-but-effective Classic Mediterranean Salad.

A Classic Mediterranean Salad

A Deliciously Light Snack or Light Meal

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Prep Time 20 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Course Salad

Cuisine Greek

Servings 4 Bowls

Calories 200 kcal

Equipment

• 1 Salad Bowl
• 1 Cutting Board
• 1 Sharp Knife
• 1 Small Glass Jar
• 1 Salad Spoon

Ingredients

  

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Salad

• 75g (2½oz) Dry Cous Cous
• 100g (3oz) Liquid Stock
• 150g (5oz) Cherry Tomatoes
• 150g (5oz) Cucumber
• 150g (5oz) Red Bell Pepper
• 75g (2½oz) Red Onion
• 20g (½oz) Fresh Basil
• 100g (3oz) Feta Cheese
• 3g (½tsp) Salt
• 2g (¼tsp) Freshly Ground Black Pepper

Salad Dressing

• 30g (2tbsp) Extra Virgin Olive Oil
• 30g (2tbsp) Red Wine Vinegar
• 15g (1tbsp) Freshly Squeezed Lemon Juice
• 20g (1tbsp) Honey
• 6g (1 Clove) Garlic, Chopped and Crushed

Instructions

 

• Heat 100 Grams of your preferred Liquid Stock in a small pan, until it bubbles lightly. Turn off the heat, then add 75 Grams of dry Cous Cous, stir, cover, and set aside
• Meanwhile, roughly chop 150 Grams of Cherry Tomatoes, 150 Grams of Cucumber, 150 Grams of Red Bell Pepper, and 75 Grams of Red Onion. Then put the whole lot in a salad bowl and toss nonchalantly
• Using your hands, gently tear the Fresh Basil into small pieces, and throw in with the vegetables. Then, add 3 Grams of the finest Salt, and 2 Grams of Freshly Ground Black Pepper. Mix lightly until everything is evenly distributed
• Now, take a small jar, and add 30 Grams of Extra Virgin Olive Oil, 30 Grams of Red Wine Vinegar, 15 Grams of Lemon Juice, 20 Grams of Honey, and 6 Grams of Garlic, and secure the lid. Then shake the jar like a madman, and pour the resulting dressing over the salad
• Take the previously prepared Cous Cous, use a fork to separate the grains, and add it to the salad. Then stir until satisfyingly distributed
• Finally, using your hands once again, take the Feta Cheese, and crumble it into the mix, and turn a couple of times with a salad spoon for good measure
• Congratulations, you are now the proud owner of a Classic Mediterranean Salad!

Nutrition

Calories: 200kcal

Keyword Feta, Greek, Salad, Vegetarian

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This isn’t the be all and end all of Mediterranean salads, as they tend to vary between regions. Go on, experiment with olives, carrots, various delicious meats and whatever takes your fancy. Just remember, quality ingredients will add power and substance to your final dish, so take a few moments to familiarize yourself with what’s out there.

Red Wine Vinegar – Just like a real bottle of wine, these tend to vary widely from brand to brand, however, the sweet spot lies somewhere between the fancy ‘la-dee-da’ artisan bottles, and the bottom of the barrel almost ‘brands.’

Feta Cheese – Depending on your taste, this can be a game changer. Call me a traditionalist, but I like my cheese to taste of cheese, so think it needs a bit of bite. Don’t be afraid of similar products labeled ‘white cheese,’ however, as modern bureaucracy dictates that the term ‘feta’ is governed by its geographical region. Side by side, an equally priced white cheese will often taste better than its Feta equivalent.