Ingredients
- Ripe Tomatoes: (Approximately 2 lbs) The star of the show! Choose a variety of ripe, flavorful tomatoes. Heirloom, Roma, or cherry tomatoes all work beautifully. Their sweetness and juiciness are essential for the salad’s vibrant taste.
- Feta Cheese: (8 oz block) Look for good quality feta cheese, preferably sheep’s milk feta for the most authentic and tangy flavor. It provides a salty, creamy counterpoint to the sweetness of the tomatoes.
- Red Onion: (½ medium) Adds a sharp, pungent bite that balances the other flavors. Red onion is milder than yellow and provides a beautiful color contrast.
- Fresh Basil: (½ cup, packed) The quintessential summer herb! Fresh basil brings a sweet, aromatic, and slightly peppery note that complements both tomatoes and feta perfectly.
- Fresh Mint: (¼ cup, packed) Adds a refreshing, cool, and slightly sweet counterpoint to the basil and other flavors. Mint elevates the salad with a touch of brightness.
- Extra Virgin Olive Oil: (¼ cup) Use a good quality extra virgin olive oil. It’s the dressing base and adds richness, fruitiness, and healthy fats.
- Red Wine Vinegar: (2 tablespoons) Provides acidity and tanginess to balance the sweetness and richness. Red wine vinegar offers a robust flavor that stands up well to the other ingredients.
- Lemon Juice: (1 tablespoon, freshly squeezed) Adds an extra layer of brightness and citrusy zest, enhancing the overall freshness of the salad. Freshly squeezed is always best for optimal flavor.
- Dried Oregano: (1 teaspoon) Adds a hint of Mediterranean warmth and earthiness. Dried oregano provides a subtle savory depth.
- Salt and Freshly Ground Black Pepper: To taste. Essential for seasoning and enhancing all the flavors in the salad. Use good quality sea salt and freshly cracked black pepper for the best results.
Instructions
- Prepare the Tomatoes: Begin by washing your tomatoes thoroughly under cool running water. Pat them dry gently with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels. Depending on the size of your tomatoes, you will need to cut them into bite-sized pieces. For larger tomatoes like beefsteak or Roma, cut them into wedges or chunks. If using cherry or grape tomatoes, you can halve or quarter them. The goal is to have pieces that are easy to eat and allow the flavors to meld together nicely. Place the chopped tomatoes in a large mixing bowl.
- Prepare the Red Onion: Peel the red onion and cut it in half. Thinly slice one half of the red onion. For a milder onion flavor, you can soak the sliced red onion in cold water for about 10 minutes while you prepare the other ingredients. This helps to remove some of the harshness. Drain the onion slices well before adding them to the salad bowl with the tomatoes.
- Crumble the Feta Cheese: Take your block of feta cheese and crumble it directly into the bowl with the tomatoes and red onion. You can use your fingers to crumble it into bite-sized pieces. Don’t crumble it too finely; you want to have some larger chunks of feta for texture and flavor bursts in each bite.
- Chop the Fresh Herbs: Rinse your fresh basil and mint leaves under cool water and pat them dry. Stack the basil leaves together and roll them up like a cigar. Thinly slice the rolled basil leaves crosswise to create chiffonade. For the mint, you can also stack and roll the leaves or simply roughly chop them. Add both the chopped basil and mint to the salad bowl. Fresh herbs are best added just before serving to maintain their vibrant color and aroma, but adding them now allows the flavors to infuse a bit.
- Make the Dressing: In a small bowl or a jar, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, and freshly squeezed lemon juice. Add the dried oregano, salt, and freshly ground black pepper. Whisk or shake well until the dressing is emulsified and all the ingredients are thoroughly combined. Taste the dressing and adjust seasoning as needed. You might want to add a pinch more salt, pepper, or a touch more lemon juice depending on your preference.
- Dress the Salad: Pour the dressing over the tomatoes, feta, red onion, and herbs in the large mixing bowl. Gently toss everything together to ensure that all the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing. Be careful not to overmix, as you want to keep the tomatoes and feta pieces relatively intact.
- Taste and Adjust Seasoning (Again!): This is a crucial step. Taste the salad. You may need to add a little more salt, pepper, or even a splash more red wine vinegar or lemon juice to brighten the flavors. The balance of sweet, salty, acidic, and herbaceous is key to a perfect Tomato & Feta Salad.
- Let it Sit (Optional but Recommended): For the best flavor, let the salad sit at room temperature for about 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and deepen. If you are making it ahead of time, it’s best to add the dressing closer to serving to prevent the tomatoes from becoming too watery.
- Serve and Enjoy: Your Fresh Tomato & Feta Salad is ready to be served! Garnish with a few extra fresh basil or mint leaves, if desired. Serve immediately and enjoy the vibrant flavors of summer!
Nutrition
- Serving Size: one normal portion
- Calories: 220
- Fat: 18g
- Saturated Fat: 7g