Soy-Free Cretan Salad

Discover a refreshing twist on a Mediterranean classic with this Soy-Free Cretan Salad, a vibrant and wholesome dish perfect for warm-weather gatherings or light meals. Bursting with juicy ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumber, and tangy Kalamata olives, this traditional Cretan-inspired salad is elevated with creamy crumbled feta cheese and the crunch of rustic whole grain bread or barley rusks. A zesty dressing of extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, and aromatic dried oregano ties everything together beautifully. Ready in just 15 minutes, this no-cook recipe is ideal for busy weeknights or as a crowd-pleasing appetizer. Garnished with fresh parsley for a touch of herbal brightness, this nutrient-packed salad is proof that simple ingredients can deliver authentic Mediterranean flavor without the need for soy-based products.

Nutriscore Rating: 69/100

Prep Time:15 mins

Cook Time:0 mins

Total Time:15 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 2 large Ripe tomatoes
• 1 large Cucumber
• 0.5 medium Red onion
• 1 small Green bell pepper
• 0.5 cup Kalamata olives
• 0.75 cup Feta cheese
• 1 teaspoon Dried oregano
• 0.25 cup Extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons Red wine vinegar
• 2 slices Rustic whole grain bread (or barley rusks)
• 0.5 teaspoon Salt
• 0.25 teaspoon Black pepper
• 2 tablespoons Fresh parsley

Directions

Step 1

1. Begin by preparing the vegetables. Dice the large ripe tomatoes into bite-sized pieces. Peel, halve, and thinly slice the cucumber.

Step 2

2. Thinly slice the half red onion and the small green bell pepper. Place all these vegetables into a large mixing bowl.

Step 3

3. Add the Kalamata olives to the vegetable mixture in the bowl.

Step 4

4. Cut the rustic whole grain bread into bite-sized pieces or use a coarse grater to make large breadcrumbs. Alternatively, break the barley rusks into smaller pieces.

Step 5

5. In a small bowl, whisk together the extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, salt, black pepper, and dried oregano to create the dressing.

Step 6

6. Pour the dressing over the vegetable mixture and gently toss until all the ingredients are well coated.

Step 7

7. Crumble the feta cheese over the top of the salad and toss lightly to combine.

Step 8

8. Just before serving, add the bread pieces or barley rusks into the salad and give it a gentle toss.

Step 9

9. Finely chop the fresh parsley and sprinkle over the salad as a garnish.

Step 10

10. Adjust seasoning with extra salt and black pepper, if needed. Serve the salad immediately for optimum freshness and texture.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1297.7g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1409.9

Total Fat 113.2g	0%
Saturated Fat 27.2g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.8g
Cholesterol 100.1mg	0%
Sodium 4164.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 82.1g	0%
Dietary Fiber 20.7g	0%
Total Sugars 22.0g
Protein 28.5g	0%

Vitamin D 18IU	0%
Calcium 848.0mg	0%
Iron 9.6mg	0%
Potassium 1960.8mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 69.7%

Protein: 7.8%

Carbs: 22.5%