"dressed Up" Greek-Style Salad

Mareesme's Note:

This is a variation of another "dressed-up" salad I make for special occasions. This one is for my occasional "Irish Girl's Greek Night" parties, The salad makes an outstanding presentation by being totally covered with colorful vegetable rings with a circular dollop of feta cheese in the center. After everyone ooos and aaahs, toss it and serve with your favorite Greek dressing. I use a portion of Mediterranean-Style Salad Dressing, the remainder of which stores nicely in frig. I hope you enjoy this very pretty twist of a green salad recipe. (NOTE -- Amounts below are realistic but not written in stone. Measurements also depend on the size of the salad bowl and amount of greens in it, since the salad's "wardrobe" has to totally cover top of greens!) I have also used thinly-sliced celery and/or small pieces of cauliflower as part of the ring wardrobe!

• Total Time: 30 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 0 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 8

• 2 bunches romaine lettuce or 2 bunches salad greens, to fill large salad bowl
• salt and pepper
• 1 red onion, halved and thinly sliced
• 1 (8 ounce) package cherry tomatoes, halved
• 3 cups shredded carrots
• 2 large green peppers, diced
• 2 (4 ounce) cans sliced black olives, drained
• crumbled feta cheese

Directions:

1. Cut red onion in half, then slice thinly. Prepare other vegetables.
2. Place torn romaine/greens in serving bowl, keeping top as smooth a layer as possible. Salt and pepper greens to your liking.
3. Starting at edge of bowl, make circular rings of sliced onion, then tomatoes, carrots, green peppers, olives and in the center a dollop of feta cheese.
4. Cover with plastic wrap until ready to serve then present with Greek salad dressing of your choice served on the side.

Reviews

[Andi of Longmeadow Farm]

Dressed - up and ready to go. And this is the salad that can be served at your kitchen counter on the fly or to a huge dinner party. Very beautiful presentation - with all the right ingredients that blend beautifully. I put this together in a flash and was able to make to the table with this beautiful salad and this was all gone in 5 minutes! Thank you so much for a great recipe! Made to honor you, for your help with the Village of lawerencetown. March 2010

[Engrossed]

BEAUTIFUL! I made this as directed but layered on 2 salad plates. I added in shredded purple cabbage which made it even more vibrant! Great presentation and fresh flavors! Made for the Beverage Tag game.