Description
A vibrant and refreshing Mediterranean Salad combining chickpeas, fresh vegetables, olives, and feta cheese, tossed in a tangy homemade dressing. Ready in just 15 minutes, this salad is perfect as a light meal or a flavorful side dish.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad Ingredients
- 1 can (15 oz) chickpeas, rinsed and drained
- 1 cucumber, diced
- 1 red bell pepper, diced
- 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
- 1/2 red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
- 1/2 cup feta cheese, crumbled
- 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
Dressing Ingredients
- 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon dried oregano
- Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
Instructions
- Combine Salad Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the rinsed and drained chickpeas, diced cucumber, diced red bell pepper, halved cherry tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, pitted and halved Kalamata olives, crumbled feta cheese, and chopped fresh parsley. Mix gently to distribute all ingredients evenly.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, dried oregano, salt, and freshly ground black pepper until well emulsified and flavorful.
- Dress the Salad: Pour the prepared dressing over the salad mixture. Toss gently to ensure all ingredients are well coated with the dressing, combining the flavors thoroughly without bruising the vegetables.
- Serve or Chill: Serve the salad immediately for a fresher taste, or refrigerate it for up to 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld perfectly. Before serving, stir gently to redistribute any settled dressing and ingredients.
Notes
- This salad is best served fresh but can be chilled for up to 2 hours to enhance flavors.
- For a vegan version, omit the feta cheese or substitute with a plant-based cheese alternative.
- Adjust salt and pepper according to taste to balance the acidity of the vinegar and saltiness of feta and olives.
- Use fresh herbs if possible for the best flavor.
- Feel free to add other Mediterranean ingredients like artichoke hearts or sun-dried tomatoes for variation.
