Greek Pasta Salad is one of my favorite salad combinations! There is no other mayonnaise-based salad dressings in Greek Pasta Salad – instead, the dressing is tangy creamy vinaigrette with thinly sliced feta cheese over top. A great “dish to take” choice for picnics and potlucks, parties and Memorials and is definitely an addition to any recipe book. A thicker, longer grain, more rugged cut of cheeses such as Greek feta, Gouda and Camembert make this salad taste even better. This thick and flavorful salad dressing goes well with thicker crackers or sliced wheat bread.
As for the base of this healthy Greek pasta salad, you will want to add some crunchy chopped Tomatoes, thinly sliced onions and finely chopped zucchini. I like to add chopped Cilantro as well, but feel free to leave it out. Then you will want to add some Dressing Mix. One type of dressing I like is Lemon Juice and Olive Oil. Whichever you choose, be sure and mix it together well.
Next, you will want to create a well rounded baked potato. For that I use a nice oven to roast mine until golden brown. Now you can serve your Greek pasta salad with freshly cut potato and/or crusty bread.
To finish your healthy Greek pasta salad, top with thinly sliced Prosciutto, Feta Cheese and/or Cheddar cheese. If you are serving it to big group of people, be sure and place the food in individual plates. Then everyone can help themselves and there will be enough food for everyone. It is always best to serve the food when it is still hot, so go ahead and set the food down while the cheese melts.
You can also add some lemon or lime juice to the food, to enhance the flavor. Now that you have your great Greek pasta salad, its time to serve. To serve, dig in and spread some delicious olive oil, tomatoes and fresh herbs on the plate. Make sure and keep an eye on the quantities of any ingredients you may use. You don’t want to be stingy because then everyone will have just as much as you do.
To make it taste even better you can drizzle a little bit of olive oil over the top. Then just sprinkle over your favorite red onion. Then enjoy your Greek salad cucumber salad. I hope that this quick recipe will help you become a greek chef and impress your friends. I know you will!
If you are serving it with rice, be sure to use the zest from the feta as a dressing. This will enhance the flavor immensely. If you are serving it with pasta, serve the vinaigrette on the plate next. It will compliment the flavors of the pasta and make them all the more yummy.
For the optional garnish, toss about 2 tablespoons of flat leaf parsley on top. Then top with a layer of the creamy feta vinaigrette. Serve warm and with lots of garlic and red onions! Yum!
As an appetizer you might want to try these fresh cut cherry tomatoes. These are great on their own or with a wedge of cucumber. A nice garnish to this salad is some fresh sliced prosciutto. Simply squeeze out a handful at a time and sprinkle on top. This is a simple yet delicious way to see tips on how to make a Greek salad.
To make this healthy Greek salad a little more interesting, first prepare the pasta according to directions. Then rinse well. Place about a teaspoon of crumbled feta on top of each individual piece. Finally, add a layer of sliced cucumbers chopped into thin slices over the pasta according to package directions.
When everything is thoroughly mixed, add some lemon juice to the top. Stir through thoroughly. Cover the salad with a plastic wrap and let sit for 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. It’s important to cover the plastic wrap tightly so the flavors don’t escape. After about five minutes, remove the plastic wrap and stir through the pasta according to package directions.
You’re ready for your Mediterranean style dinner! Heat up your olive oil in a large skillet or by using a large frying pan. Add some minced garlic and continue cooking until softened. Drain pasta and place in skillet or pan with olive oil. Add salt and pepper to taste and continue cooking, stirring often. When done, place on a plate and enjoy.
