When Chris and I stuffed our belongings into a storage unit and took off to get acquainted with his extended family in Greece, I had no idea how much their food was going to affect my future.
Our “theo”s and “thea”s (uncles and aunts in Greek, apparently) served some of the most delicious and interesting food we’ve ever tried as a couple (didn’t top the roasted bush rat I had in Africa, but it was definitely tastier). While the language barrier was insanely difficult to cross, I was able to communicate to them that I wanted to learn how to cook Greek food. So the following weeks were spent furiously taking notes and trying to eye-ball measurements for the fantastic food they served us.
One salad showed up at almost every meal. Literally, we must have eaten this salad at least once a day, if not twice.
And I didn’t get tired of it.
My love for tomatoes and cucumbers probably had a lot to do with that, but I also think you can appreciate this salad even if you aren’t as big a fan as I am.
It’s also extremely easy to prepare, and extremely frugal during the height of summer, when tomatoes and cucumbers seem to be coming out of the wood work.
There are tons of variations of this salad, but I’m choosing to give you the method my thea showed me. Apparently the fancier, more popular version of this salad is called Saláta Horiátiki. However, this is a much more basic salad…. not sure what my thea called it. Regardless, it’s delicious.
Tomato & Cucumber Salad
All ingredients are to taste, so feel free to make as much or as little of this salad as you want and adjust the dressing and flavorings as you desire. This is how much I would make for me and Chris as a side dish.
INGREDIENTS
- 1-2 tomatoes, coarsely chopped, with seeds
- 1/2 – 1 cucumber, peeled and coarsely chopped, with seeds
- Olive oil
- Salt
- Pepper
- Oregano, dried or fresh
DIRECTIONS
- Place tomatoes and cucumbers on a small platter or plate with tall sides.
- Drizzle veggies with olive oil and sprinkle with salt, pepper, and oregano, to taste.
- Allow salad to sit for a few minutes to soften the oregano (if using dried) and allow flavors to mingle.
- Serve as a side dish or a light meal with crusty bread to soak up the juices.
Until Mom’s comment about this salad yesterday, I had forgotten that we used bread to soak up the juice (and expensive olive oil…) that gathered underneath the tomatoes and cucumbers. So. Delicious. Thanks for the reminder, Mom! (And how funny that she mentioned this salad the day before I was going to write about it….)
While tomato and cucumber season might be a few weeks away for many of us, this is a fabulous recipe to keep on hand for when it finally comes in all its glory.
WHAT ABOUT YOU?
What quick dishes do you use these vegetables (or more accurately, fruits) in?
Cheers,
9 comments
3 pings
Barefeet In The Kitchen
06/28/2011 at 10:09 PM (UTC -6)
I just posted a cucumber tomato salad recipe earlier this week. Living in the southwest means that my garden is already overflowing! I like your salad version as well. Adding some hot sauce turned it into a dish that my oldest son ate repeatedly.
Steph
06/29/2011 at 6:44 AM (UTC -6)
Barefeet in the Kitchen – Hot sauce? Wow, I can hardly imagine what that would taste like, but obviously it was fantastic!
Mom
06/29/2011 at 6:02 AM (UTC -6)
mmmm….what she said!
Anne @ Quick and Easy Cheap and Healthy
06/29/2011 at 7:58 AM (UTC -6)
This looks so yummy – I’m going to have to find a cucumber at the farmer’s market tomorrow and make this!
Steph
06/29/2011 at 11:04 AM (UTC -6)
Anne – Bet it would taste fantastic with your Artisan bread!
Susie Bee on Maui
06/29/2011 at 10:32 AM (UTC -6)
Sometimes just sliced with hummus on whole wheat for a crunchy, light sandwich; or the hubs favorite with olives, feta and red onion for easy Greek salad.
Steph
06/29/2011 at 11:30 AM (UTC -6)
Susie Bee – Yum, hummus sounds great.
Barefeet In The Kitchen
06/29/2011 at 11:37 AM (UTC -6)
Steph, if you have tomato juice left from your Rivithia, you should try it. http://barefeetinthekitchen.blogspot.com/2011/06/cucumber-salad-with-tomato-vinaigrette.html That’s what I did.
Steph
06/29/2011 at 12:15 PM (UTC -6)
Barefeet in the Kitchen – Thanks for the suggestion! Sounds good.
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