Rustic Mediterranean Salad with Artisanal Cheese

 Rustic Mediterranean Salad with Artisanal Cheese

A vibrant, fresh salad with a bold Mediterranean flair, perfectly balanced with the richness of artisanal cheese.

Ingredients:

For the Salad:

4 cups crisp lettuce (Romaine or butter lettuce)

1 small cucumber, thinly sliced

½ red onion, thinly sliced

2 medium tomatoes, cut into chunks

¼ cup black olives (Kalamata or Niçoise), pitted and halved

For the Cheese & Garnish:

1 large slice of artisanal cheese (Feta, Halloumi, or aged goat cheese)

1 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (for drizzling)

½ tsp dried oregano or thyme

Freshly cracked black pepper to taste

For the Dressing:

3 tbsp extra virgin olive oil

1 tbsp balsamic vinegar or fresh lemon juice

½ tsp Dijon mustard

1 garlic clove, finely minced

Salt and black pepper to taste

Instructions:

Prepare the Dressing:

In a small bowl, whisk together olive oil, balsamic vinegar (or lemon juice), Dijon mustard, garlic, salt, and black pepper until well emulsified. Set aside.

Assemble the Salad:

Arrange the lettuce leaves on a rustic ceramic plate.

Evenly distribute the sliced cucumber, red onion, tomatoes, and black olives on top.

Add the Cheese:

Place the large slice of artisanal cheese atop the salad.

Drizzle with extra virgin olive oil and sprinkle with dried oregano and black pepper.

Finish & Serve:

Drizzle the prepared dressing over the salad.

Serve immediately, allowing the cheese to slightly soften from the dressing’s warmth.