Happy New Year!
I figured I would start off 2011 with a healthy post. We’re all in the beginning of a new year, so let’s start off on the right foot, right?
This salad fits the bill. It’s fresh, packed with vegetables and protein, and bursting with flavor. This could serve as a great side dish or even as a main meal. It was even better on the second day as leftovers because the flavors had time to meld together. And, even though it takes a little time to prepare (i.e., chopping the veggies, but I love chopping veggies, so this was right up my alley….), it’s not too challenging or overwhelming. Which I love. Seriously, three steps total to make? I’m a fan!
If you’re not a fan of feta, you could substitute some mozzarella. If you want to add some other veggies, feel free. This salad is so versatile that you could make it any way that you like.
Without the feta, it’s vegan. With it, it’s vegetarian. Lots of fiber. Lots of protein. Lots of vitamins. My goal this year is to include more recipes like this one on the blog (but, of course, everything in moderation….I still will have overwhelming cravings for chocolate, butter, and cheese…let’s be honest….). Here’s to 2011….new year, new attitude, and new opportunities.
Mediterranean Chopped Salad
Servings: 4 to 6
Ingredients
| 1 | medium cucumber , peeled, halved lengthwise, seeded, and cut into 1/2-inch dice (about 1 1/4 cups) |
| 1 | pint grape tomatoes , quartered (about 1 1/2 cups) |
| Table salt | |
| 3 | tablespoons extra virgin olive oil |
| 3 | tablespoons red wine vinegar |
| 1 | medium garlic clove , minced or pressed through garlic press (about 1 teaspoon) |
| 1 | (14-ounce) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed |
| 1/2 | cup chopped pitted kalamata olives |
| 1/2 | small minced red onion (about 1/4 cup) |
| 1/2 | cup roughly chopped fresh parsley |
| 1 | romaine heart , cut into 1/2-inch pieces (about 3 cups) |
| 4 | ounces feta cheese , crumbled (about 1 cup) |
| Ground black pepper |
Instructions
- Combine cucumber, tomatoes, and 1 teaspoon salt in colander set over bowl and let stand 15 minutes.
- Whisk oil, vinegar, and garlic together in large bowl. Add drained cucumber and tomatoes, chickpeas, olives, onion, and parsley; toss and let stand at room temperature to blend flavors, 5 minutes.
- Add romaine and feta; toss to combine. Season with salt and pepper and serve.
Cherine - That’s a refreshing tasty salad!!
Lauren at KeepItSweet - i love feta so i’d definitely enjoy this salad as is! great way to start of the year healthy:-)
notyet100 - healthy one,..;-)
Jara - This looks like a fantastic salad. I’m not a big fan of olives so I’d probably leave that one out but everything else sounds like such a great combination. thanks for sharing!
georgia - this is a great salad! Nice to start the new year off with wonderful Salads! Great recipe Shay!
Sara - Looks delicious! 🙂
Molly - This looks wonderful!
Lauren - This is long overdue (I’m a food blog newbie!), but I wanted to let you know that this salad is really, really tasty. I’ve made it a couple of times now, and just love it. It’s really refreshing. Thank you for sharing it!
DonnaKay - I made this yesterday, and it’s excellent. It would be really easy to make at the last minute with substitutions if you don’t have everything (cannellini beans for chick peas, black or stuffed olives for kalamatas, add avocados; very versatile). Definitely a keeper!
Mediterranean Chopped Salad | A Nerd Cooks - […] Adapted ever-so-slightly from The Curvy Carrot. […]