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Horiatiki, or Greek Salad, is a dish that captures the essence of the Mediterranean with its simplicity, freshness, and vibrant flavours.
This rustic salad is a celebration of quality ingredients and minimal preparation, offering a taste of Greek life that is as unpretentious as it is delightful.
It’s a staple in Greek households and tavernas, providing a light, refreshing meal or side dish that perfectly complements the country’s cuisine.
What Is Horiatiki?
Horiatiki, meaning “village salad,” is the traditional Greek salad made with fresh vegetables and topped with slabs of creamy feta cheese.
Unlike many salads, Horiatiki doesn’t rely on leafy greens; instead, it highlights the essence of seasonal produce with a mix of ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, tangy red onions, and juicy Kalamata olives.
Finished with a sprinkle of dried oregano and a generous drizzle of olive oil, this salad showcases the best of Greek ingredients in their purest form.
Typically served as a side dish, Horiatiki is versatile enough to stand on its own, often accompanied by crusty bread that’s perfect for soaking up the flavourful dressing.
It’s meant to be shared, adding a touch of conviviality to any meal. Horiatiki is more than a salad; it’s a reflection of the Greek philosophy that good food doesn’t need to be complicated, just fresh, flavourful, and enjoyed with others.
Ingredients and Taste
The beauty of Horiatiki lies in its simplicity and the quality of its ingredients. Fresh tomatoes are at the heart of this dish, their sweetness enhanced by the saltiness of feta cheese and olives. Cucumbers add a refreshing crunch, while red onions offer a sharp contrast that balances the other flavours.
Kalamata olives bring a slightly briny taste, deepening the flavour profile and adding a touch of Mediterranean richness.
Seasoned with dried oregano and sometimes a hint of sea salt, the salad is brought together with a generous pour of extra virgin olive oil. This oil, often local to Greece, adds a fruity, peppery note that binds all the ingredients harmoniously.
Each bite of Horiatiki is a blend of savoury, sweet, and tangy elements, with the feta providing a creamy texture that offsets the crunch of the vegetables.
The taste is bold yet balanced, with a focus on natural flavours that make it as refreshing as it is satisfying.
A Taste of History
Horiatiki is deeply rooted in Greek culture, where food is simple, wholesome, and deeply connected to the land. The origins of the salad are humble, believed to come from rural Greek villages where farmers would create a meal from the vegetables and olives they grew.
This salad became a practical way to use fresh, readily available ingredients, often served in fields or shared around family tables.
The use of feta cheese, olives, and olive oil in Horiatiki reflects the agricultural staples of Greece, where these ingredients have been produced for centuries.
Greek olive oil, in particular, is known for its high quality and is a key component in the Mediterranean diet, praised for its health benefits and integral role in Greek cooking.
Feta cheese, made from sheep or goat’s milk, has been a beloved part of Greek cuisine for thousands of years and is one of Greece’s most iconic foods.
Horiatiki (Traditional Greek Salad) Recipe
Serves: 4 people
Ingredients:
- 4 medium tomatoes, cut into wedges
- 1 medium cucumber, peeled and sliced into half-moons
- 1 green bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
- 100g (3.5 oz) feta cheese, cut into thick slices or chunks
- 10-12 Kalamata olives
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tbsp red wine vinegar
- 1 tsp dried oregano
- Salt and black pepper, to taste
Directions
To begin, gather all your fresh ingredients and rinse the tomatoes, cucumber, and bell pepper thoroughly under cold water. Dry them gently with a towel to prevent extra water from diluting the salad.
In a large mixing bowl, combine the tomato wedges, cucumber slices, and green bell pepper. For an authentic look, cut the vegetables in larger, rustic pieces to capture the traditional feel of a Horiatiki salad.
Add the thinly sliced red onion to the bowl. A quick tip to reduce the onion’s sharpness is to rinse the slices in cold water and pat them dry. This step is optional but helps if you prefer a milder onion flavour.
Add the Kalamata olives to the salad, keeping them whole and unpitted for authenticity. If preferred, you can also slice them, though traditionally, they are served whole.
Place the thick slices or chunks of feta cheese on top of the salad. In a classic Horiatiki, the feta is not crumbled but left in larger pieces, adding a distinct texture and flavour when mixed.
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil and red wine vinegar until well combined. This simple dressing highlights the freshness of the ingredients without overpowering them.
Drizzle the olive oil and vinegar dressing evenly over the salad. Sprinkle the dried oregano over the feta and the rest of the salad. Add salt and black pepper to taste, being cautious with salt as the feta and olives already add a salty element.
Serve the Horiatiki immediately, directly from the bowl or transfer to a shallow serving dish for a rustic presentation. Accompany with crusty bread to soak up the juices, and add an extra drizzle of olive oil if desired for a richer flavour.
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