Mediterranean salad with herb vinaigrette

I don't know about your neck of the woods, but around these parts, it has been excessively hot for this time of year. For five hot days straight now, the temperature has exceeded the 100 degree mark. So we have been avoiding firing up the oven. Thus was born this salad, whose crisp coolness and sharp flavors provided perfect refreshment for lunch the other day.

Some amazing cucumbers and red onions from the farmers' market were the inspiration for a Greek farmer-style salad with the addition of chick peas. We topped it off with a very herby vinaigrette that really hit the spot.


Come up with equal parts of the following vegetables:

-Red onion, thinly sliced half rings
-Tomatoes. cut into wedges
-Cucumber, thinly sliced or thin half slices
-Green bell pepper, thinly sliced

Assuming you have enough veg for two servings, add:

-a half cup of cooked chick peas
-handful of chopped fresh parsley
-handful of chopped fresh mint

Assemble the vinaigrette:

-1/2 cup extra virgin olive oil
-1/8 cup red wine vinegar
-1 tsp dried dill
-1 tsp dried oregano
-1 tsp sugar
-1 tsp salt
-1/4 tsp black pepper
add to a container with a leakproof lid. Put on the lid and shake vigorously.

When you are ready to server, shake it up again, and dress the salad quickly.

Add some crumbled feta if you so desire- I know I did.

That's it- pretty simple. There are a variety of great salads in the various Mediterranean food traditions. All of them are healthy and easy adjusted for your tastes. It can be a simple as a grain with a vinaigrette and herbs. I hope they help keep you cool!