Simple Mediterranean Salad for vegans

Mediterranean Salad
Mediterranean salad comes from the countries surrounding the Mediterranean Sea such as Greece, Italy, Israel, Turkey, and Syria. The key ingredients for Mediterranean salad come from the local produce such as Olive oil, tomatoes, Parsley, cucumbers. The salad can also contain cheeses and Olives. I am sharing a simple Vegan recipe that has minimal ingredients, fit for vegans, low calories, and is rich in nutrients. The Mediterranean diet is considered one of the healthiest diets in the world as it is rich in plant-based fibers and proteins. I love this dish for its simplicity and use of ingredients that are commonly available in most homes or grocery stores. Mediterranean salad can be had by itself or it can also be a perfect complement to any dish such as Pita sandwiches, Falafels, Indian food, or biryanis. This recipe for “Mediterranean salad” is very easy to prepare and involves just 4 basic ingredients – Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Chopped Parsley, and Olive oil. We can enhance the taste with Lemon juice, salt, cumin powder, black pepper, and a touch of paprika. The total time taken to prepare the salad is about 20 minutes. The recipe combines various health benefits of Olive oil, Tomatoes, cucumbers, and Parsley. The antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties of these ingredients have proven to help prevent heart diseases, alleviate pains and improve digestion. I have also shared a few other Mediterranean recipes on my blog. For easy reference, please find the links below :
  1. Recipe for Tahini sauce: Sesame seed dip for pita bread, or a topping for salads and sandwiches. A traditional dish from the Eastern Mediterranean, Israel, and parts of North Africa.
  2. Recipe for Tzatziki sauce/dip  - A creamy, fresh, and aromatic dip from Mediterranean cuisine, that is made with fresh herbs, olive oil, spices, and yogurt.
  3. Falafel gyros recipe - A traditional Greek dish adapted for vegetarians, falafels wrapped in pita bread with a topping of veggies and Tzatziki sauce.
  4. Recipe for Chickpea Falafels : Authentic Mediterranean protein-rich food that is crunchy, spicy and filled with aromatic herbs and spices.
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Cuisine ,
Courses
Difficulty Beginner
Servings 2
Description

“Simple Mediterranean salad” is a nutrition and anti-oxidant rich dish that is very easy to prepare with commonly available fresh vegetables and ingredients, within 20 minutes. It is suited for vegans.

 

Ingredients
  • 4 Roma tomatoes (medium sized, diced and deseeded (can also use 10-15 cherry tomatoes halved))
  • 1/2 cup Parsley (chopped finely)
  • 2 English cucumbers (Seedless type - about 6inch long each)
  • 1 tbsp Extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tsp Lemon juice
  • 1 tsp Cumin powder
  • 1/2 tsp Paprika
  • 1/2 tsp Salt
  • 1/2 tsp Black Pepper (Ground)
Instructions
    • De-seed and dice Roma tomatoes
    • Dice Cucumber
    • Chop Parsley leaves – remove stems
    • Mix Tomatoes, Cumbers and Parsley in a salad bowl
    • Add Lemon juice, cumin powder, salt, paprika, pepper powder, and extra virgin olive oil
    • Mix well

    Serve with Pita bread, falafels, pilaf, saffron rice, or biryanis

Notes

Use Extra Virgin olive oil only – This is the highest quality of olive oil that preserves the natural content from being altered by exposure to high temperature. This oil even has lower acidity content. It is considered the best simply because it retains most of the natural flavor and aroma. Also, this is the most commonly used type of olive oil for health purposes.  It's best to use extra-virgin olive oil in salads as a light and tasty dressing.

Keywords: Vegetarian, Vegan, Salad, Main Course, Mediterranean, Egg Free
Read it online: https://www.mellowmasala.com/recipe/mediterranean-salad/
Vinay Mummigatti

I love traveling, cooking, and reading. This blog is a reflection of my passion for cooking. Food is a representation of culture and I have tried to assimilate foods from different cultures across the world. I am an Indian by birth who moved to the USA 20 years back. I hope my recipes and articles bring new experiences and joy to the readers. Please share your comments and feedback.