Mediterranean Bliss Salad with Grilled Pita
Indulge in the vibrant flavors of the Mediterranean with this refreshing Mediterranean Bliss Salad, artfully combined with grilled pita bread. This salad brings together the best of fresh, hearty ingredients including juicy vine-ripe tomatoes, crunchy cucumbers, and crisp bell peppers, all tossed with briny kalamata olives and creamy feta cheese. Drizzled with a zesty homemade dressing of extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, and fragrant oregano, this dish is not only a feast for the taste buds but also a healthy option loaded with essential nutrients. Perfect as a light lunch or as a stunning side for any meal, this Mediterranean-inspired salad is sure to impress your guests and satisfy your cravings.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
14
Ingredients
Ingredients
vine-ripe tomatoes
3 (cut into chunks)
red onion
1 medium (sliced thinly)
seedless cucumber
1/2 (cut into chunks)
red bell pepper
1 (seeded and cut into chunks)
green bell pepper
1 (seeded and cut into chunks)
kalamata olives
1 cup (pitted)
fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/4 cup (chopped)
feta cheese
1/2 lb (crumbled or sliced)
extra virgin olive oil
1/4 cup (for dressing)
red wine vinegar
3 tablespoons (for dressing)
dried oregano
1 teaspoon (for dressing)
kosher salt
to taste
freshly ground black pepper
to taste
pita bread
as needed (for grilling)
Instructions
1
Begin by preparing your vegetables. In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped vine-ripe tomatoes, thinly sliced red onion, chunks of seedless cucumber, and both the red and green bell peppers.
2
Add the pitted kalamata olives and chopped fresh parsley to the bowl, mixing gently to combine all the ingredients.
3
Crumble or slice the feta cheese over the salad, ensuring an even distribution throughout the mix.
4
In a separate small bowl or jar, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, and dried oregano until well combined. Drizzle this dressing over the salad, adding it gradually to suit your taste.
5
Season your salad with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Allow it to marinate for at least 15 minutes to let the flavors meld together.
6
While the salad is marinating, prepare your pita bread. Preheat a grill or grill pan over medium-high heat. Grill the pita bread for about 1-2 minutes on each side, or until it's warm and has nice grill marks with a slightly blistered texture.
7
Once the pita is grilled to perfection, remove it from the heat and cut it into wedges.
8
Serve the Mediterranean Bliss Salad in bowls alongside the warm grilled pita, and enjoy the delightful combination of flavors!
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Mediterranean Bliss Salad with Grilled Pita?
It is a refreshing salad that combines fresh vegetables like tomatoes, cucumbers, and bell peppers with briny kalamata olives and creamy feta cheese, served alongside warm grilled pita bread.
What vegetables are included in the Mediterranean Bliss Salad?
The salad includes vine-ripe tomatoes, red onion, seedless cucumber, and both red and green bell peppers.
How do I make the dressing for this salad?
Whisk together extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, and dried oregano in a small bowl or jar until well combined.
How long should the salad marinate?
The salad should marinate for at least 15 minutes to allow the flavors of the vegetables and dressing to meld together.
How is the pita bread prepared?
The pita bread is grilled on a preheated grill or grill pan over medium-high heat for about 1-2 minutes per side until warm and blistered.
What type of cheese is used in this recipe?
This recipe uses 1/2 lb of feta cheese, which can be either crumbled or sliced over the salad.
Are the kalamata olives pitted?
Yes, the recipe calls for 1 cup of pitted kalamata olives.
What kind of tomatoes should I use?
The recipe specifically recommends using 3 vine-ripe tomatoes cut into chunks.
Is there fresh herb used in the salad?
Yes, the recipe includes 1/4 cup of chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley.
What type of vinegar is best for the dressing?
Red wine vinegar is used to provide the characteristic zesty flavor for the Mediterranean dressing.
Can I use a regular cucumber instead of a seedless one?
The recipe calls for 1/2 of a seedless cucumber, but you can substitute a regular one if you peel and seed it first.
How should I cut the red onion?
The red onion should be sliced thinly to ensure it distributes well throughout the salad.
What are the primary seasonings for this salad?
The salad is seasoned with dried oregano in the dressing, along with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste.
How many bell peppers are needed?
You will need one red bell pepper and one green bell pepper, both seeded and cut into chunks.
Is the pita bread served whole or cut?
Once grilled, the pita bread should be cut into wedges for serving.
Is this salad considered healthy?
Yes, it is loaded with essential nutrients from fresh vegetables and healthy fats from extra virgin olive oil.
Can this salad be served as a main meal?
Yes, it is perfect as a light lunch, or it can be served as a stunning side dish.
What kind of oil is used in the dressing?
The recipe uses 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil for the dressing.
How do I know when the pita is ready?
The pita is ready when it has nice grill marks and a slightly blistered texture.
Can I add the dressing all at once?
The instructions suggest adding the dressing gradually to suit your personal taste.
What type of salt is recommended?
Kosher salt is recommended for seasoning the salad.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, this Mediterranean Bliss Salad is a veggie-friendly dish.
How many ingredients are in this recipe?
The recipe contains 14 individual ingredients, including the pantry staples for the dressing.
What is the first step in the instructions?
The first step is to prepare the vegetables by chopping the tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, and peppers.
Can I use dried parsley instead of fresh?
While fresh flat-leaf parsley provides the best flavor, you could use dried in a pinch, though the taste will differ.
What should the grill temperature be for the pita?
The grill or grill pan should be preheated to medium-high heat.
Is this salad good for entertaining guests?
Yes, the description notes it is a stunning side that is sure to impress guests.
What are some common tags for this recipe?
Common tags include greek salad, mediterranean, healthy, veggie, and grilled pita.
How do I incorporate the feta cheese?
The feta cheese should be crumbled or sliced and distributed evenly throughout the mix.
Should the olives be chopped?
The recipe calls for whole pitted kalamata olives, mixed gently into the salad.