Tomato salad
Fresh cherry tomato salad with feta cheese and red onion
If you want to indulge your taste buds with a delicious, quick, and colorful salad, you've found the perfect recipe! This cherry tomato salad with feta and red onion is not only an explosion of flavors but also a healthy choice for any meal. With a combination of simple yet tasty ingredients, this salad can be an ideal accompaniment to meat or fish dishes, or it can be enjoyed on its own as a light lunch.
Preparation time: 10 minutes
Total time: 10 minutes
Number of servings: 4
Your ingredients will be:
- 250 grams of juicy, sweet cherry tomatoes
- One small red onion for added flavor
- 100 grams of feta cheese or telemea, which will add a creamy note
- Dressing:
- Salt to taste
- Freshly ground pepper for a more intense flavor
- 3-4 tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil for a smooth taste
- Freshly squeezed lemon juice to taste
- One teaspoon of tomato paste for vibrant color and deep flavor
- A pinch of dried thyme for those who love strong flavors
Preparation:
1. Preparing the ingredients: Start by washing the cherry tomatoes well to remove any impurities. Cut each tomato into quarters and place them in a large bowl. Cherry tomatoes are an excellent choice due to their natural sweetness and crunchy texture.
2. Red onion: Peel the red onion and slice it thinly. If you prefer a milder flavor, you can soak it in cold water for a few minutes, then drain it. This trick helps to soften the strong taste of the onion, making it more pleasant.
3. Feta cheese: Cut the feta cheese into small cubes. You can also use telemea if you prefer, but feta adds extra creaminess and a more pronounced flavor.
4. Salad mix: Add the red onion and feta cheese to the bowl with cherry tomatoes. Gently mix, being careful not to crumble the cheese.
5. Making the dressing: In a small bowl, combine the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, pepper, and tomato paste. The tomato paste is the secret to intensifying not just the flavor but also the vibrant color of the salad. If you choose to use thyme, add it sparingly, as its flavor is very concentrated.
6. Finishing the salad: Pour the dressing over the salad and mix gently. Let the salad sit for a few minutes for the flavors to meld.
7. Serving: Serve the salad immediately to enjoy the freshness of the ingredients. It pairs perfectly with grilled steak or as part of a cold buffet.
Tips and practical advice:
- You can also use other types of tomatoes, such as Romanian tomatoes or ripe tomatoes, but cherry tomatoes bring a special sweetness.
- If you want to enrich the salad, add a few Kalamata olives or capers for a Mediterranean taste.
- This salad goes excellently with a glass of dry white wine, which will highlight the fresh flavors of the ingredients.
Nutritional benefits:
Tomatoes are an excellent source of vitamins C and A, as well as antioxidants that contribute to heart health. Feta provides protein and calcium, while olive oil is known for its beneficial effects on cholesterol.
Frequently asked questions:
1. Can I use other types of cheese?
Yes, you can experiment with goat cheese or ricotta, but the taste will be different.
2. How can I store the salad?
It is recommended to consume it immediately after preparation, but if there are leftovers, store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container, but it will lose some freshness.
Now that you know how to prepare this cherry tomato salad with feta and red onion, all that's left is to try it and enjoy a simple yet exceptional dish! Enjoy your meal!
Ingredients: 250 grams of cherry tomatoes, a small red onion, 100 grams of feta cheese, Dressing: salt, pepper, olive oil, lemon juice to taste, a bit of tomato paste, just a pinch of thyme.
