When in GREECE: Eat Mediterranean Salad

We get more than our fair share of recipe requests here at Ziziki’s. Of course - we can't give away our secrets but we can share a simple one! Still, if you’re looking to impress - this recipe is sure to put a smile on some faces.

Mediterranean Salad: Hearty, robust, and delicious! All the stuff you dream about are in a Greek salad - tomatoes, olives, feta cheese, cucumbers, and sun-dried tomatoes - all glistening from a splash of oil. It takes only ten minutes to make this salad and it’s perfect if you’re looking to entertain a small group since it serves eight people.

INGREDIENTS:
3 cucumbers, seeded and sliced lengthwise
1 1/2 cups crumbled feta cheese
1 cup black olives, pitted and sliced
3 cups diced roma tomatoes
1/3 cup diced oil packed sun-dried tomatoes, drained, oil reserved
1/2 red onion, sliced

DIRECTIONS:
In a large salad bowl, toss together the cucumbers, feta cheese, olives, roma tomatoes, sun-dried tomatoes, 2 tablespoons reserved sun-dried tomato oil, and red onion. Chill until ready to serve.

OPA!

Greek Salads - Diverse and Delicious

Greek salads are as diverse and delicious as Greek wines. Salads are often eaten alongside the main dishes and rarely contain lettuce - instead, Greek salads are garnishes with beans, olives, dressings and fresh vegetables. So eat like a Greek native and enjoy some of these hearty Mediterranean salads.

Chopped Greek Salad with Chicken Some delicious chicken accented with fresh broccoli and tomatoes, chopped into small pieces, makes for a hearty Greek salad. Enjoy this dish with pita bread and hummus.

Smokey Eggplant Grilled Salad - Have you ever tasted grilled eggplant? It’s delicious! The mellow taste of eggplant is balanced by smokey paprika, vinegar and a light dressing.

Chickpea Salad - Add to the Mediterranean flavor of a Greek salad by adding chickpeas and ranch to a lettuce-less salad. If ranch isn’t your choice, this salad is just as tasty with a tangy vinaigrette.

Other great treats to try alongside Greek salads are baked parmesan tomato slices.

Feel free to step outside your comfort zone when experimenting with Mediterranean salads and open your tastebuds to the delicious salads made without lettuce. Stop by and give our Greek salads a taste for a truly authentic taste of Greece cuisine.

Make Your Own Greek Salad Dressing

Run to your fridge and grab a bottle of salad dressing. No, really. Go.
What are the ingredients? The best things in life really are the most simple things. 


So, what’s a salad lover to do? Easy! Just make your own dressing! It takes minutes to do, you probably have the ingredients, and you can reuse one of your old glass salad dressing bottles for storage.

Everyone loves a Greek Vinaigrette. It makes even a simple plate of spinach something special to enjoy.  We can share some recipes with you, without giving away our famous, traditional, ancient Greek cuisine secrets. OPA!

Basic Greek Vinaigrette

• 1/2 c. red wine vinegar
• 1/3 c. olive oil
• 1 tsp. garlic powder
• 1 tsp. dried oregano
• 1 tsp. dried basil
• 3/4 tsp. pepper
• 3/4 tsp. salt
• 3/4 tsp. onion powder
• 3/4 tsp. Dijon mustard

Add all ingredients to a jar or container with a tight fitting lid.  Shake well to combine. Refrigerate after use. Makes 1 cup (8 oz).