Bright Mediterranean Fresh Salad with Lemon-Olive Dressing

• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 large cucumber, diced
• 1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
• 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
• 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, chopped
• 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
• Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
• Optional: 1/4 cup toasted pine nuts or chopped walnuts for crunch

Instructions

1. Prepare the vegetables: Halve the cherry tomatoes, dice the cucumber, thinly slice the red onion, and halve the Kalamata olives. Combine all in a large salad bowl.
2. Add herbs and cheese: Roughly chop the parsley and mint leaves, then sprinkle them over the vegetables along with the crumbled feta cheese.
3. Make the dressing: In a small bowl or jar, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey (or maple syrup), and a pinch of salt and pepper until well combined and emulsified.
4. Dress the salad: Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and gently toss everything together to evenly coat the vegetables and cheese.
5. Optional crunch: If using toasted pine nuts or walnuts, sprinkle them on top of the salad right before serving to maintain their crunch.
6. Taste and adjust seasoning: Check for salt and pepper, adding more if needed, and give a gentle toss once more.
7. Serve immediately or chill: This salad is best served fresh but can be chilled for up to 2 hours before serving to enhance flavors.
8. Store leftovers: Keep any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day. Re-toss before serving as dressing may settle.

Chef tips

• For a kid-friendly version, soak sliced red onion in cold water for 5 minutes to reduce sharpness.
• Substitute feta with goat cheese or omit cheese entirely for a dairy-free option.
• Use bottled lemon juice if fresh lemons are unavailable, but fresh lemon juice is recommended for best flavor.
• Add cooked chickpeas or grilled chicken strips to make this salad a more substantial meal.