Greek Salad

Ingredients:

• 2 lbs medium tomatoes ripe chopped
• 2 medium cucumbers peeled chopped
• 2 green bell peppers cut into pieces
• 1 medium red onion finely chopped
• 6 ounces feta cheese
• 3/4 cup kalamata olive or other Greek olives
• 3 -5 sprigs of fresh mint
• 3 -5 sprigs fresh oregano
• 7 -10 sprigs parsley
• 3 tablespoons red wine vinegar
• salt and pepper
• 1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil

Steps:

• For the vinaigrette
• Coarsely chop the herbs that have been stripped from the stems In a smll bowl whisk together the red wine vinegar salt and pepper Gradually whisk in the oil so that the viniagrette dressing emulsifies and thickens slightly
• Add the chopped herbs then whisk the dressing again and test for seasonings
• For the salad
• Core and chop the tomatoes into 1-inch pieces Peel the cucumbers; cut each cucumber length-wise Scoop out the seeds with a teaspoon discard the seeds Cut the cucumber halves lengthwise into 2-3 strips then gather the strips together and cut them crosswise into 1/2-inch pieces
• Cut bell pepper in half then half again Be sure to discard the seeds and slice into stripsBe sure to cut out any of the white ribsCut each strip into dice
• Peel and trim the red onion Cut the onion cross-wise into thin rings Separate the rings
• Cut the feta cheese into 1/2-inch strips Gather the strips together and cut cross-wise into cubes
• Put the tomatoes cucumbers bell peppers and onion in a large bowl Briskly whisk the herb vinaigrette and pour it over the top of the salad With a large metal spoon toss the vegetables thoroughly in the herb vinaigrette dressing
• Add the olives and the feta cheese to the vegetables and gently toss again Taste for seasonings
• Allow the flavors to mellow before serving about 30 minutes