Greek Chickpea Salad

3/2/2023

It was only 5 months ago that I was able to make the trip to Greece and yet somehow, it seems like a lifetime ago.🇬🇷 I think that it was all so surreal that I've categorized it into the area of my brain that stores all of my too-good-to-be-true experiences. I remember those things almost as if they didn't happen to me and certainly not as if they happened in my recent past.

The country of Greece has incredible scenery, history and FOOD! We had some of the most amazing food, both on the island of Santorini and in Athens. I had quite possibly the best meal that I've ever eaten in my life while dining on the veranda of a small Santorini restaurant, under a full moon. If you ever find yourself on this beautiful island - go to Metaxi Mas and order the squid - you will NOT be disappointed. 😋

It's safe to say that when we left Santorini and flew to Athens - we had high expectations of Greek cuisine. And, the food that we ate in Athens lived up to our expectations. I had a shrimp risotto that was so extraordinary, that I fear that all other risottos that I eat for the rest of my life will pale in comparison.

I have to admit that I went to Greece as a person who avoided feta. I wasn't a fan but after tasting authentic, Greek, brined in water, feta - I've changed my opinion about the delicate cheese.

The oversized slices of feta, drizzled in olive oil, sprinkled with salt and pepper and served on top of my salads in Greece was really very different that the feta that I was accustomed to picking off of my salads here.😅 The texture was firmer and the cheese was nuttier. It was really, very tasty. Feta is also the star of every Greek salad over there because there is no lettuce component to Greek salads in Greece. Feta, vegetables, olives and oil. Simple and delicious.

I'm slowly working my way through the feta options that are available to me at my grocery store, to find the most authentic Greek feta cheese. I've haven't quite found one that replicates what I ate in Greece but maybe it's the lack of blue domed white buildings that's affecting my taste buds.😂 Don't worry though - I'm committed to continuing my search to taste test all the different brands of feta and testing it in the best way that I know how - in Greek salads.🥗 My lettuce-less Greek salad is my nod nod to the amazing country that taught me to appreciate good feta cheese.

Greek Chickpea Salad
15 ounces chickpeas, rinsed and drained
2 cups grape tomatoes, halved
1 English cucumber, chopped
1 red bell pepper, chopped
3/4 cup pitted kalamata olives, halved
1/3 cup chopped red onion
3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
2 Tablespoons chopped fresh dill
2 Tablespoons chopped fresh parsley
salt and black pepper, to taste

Dressing
1/4 cup olive oil
2 Tablespoons red wine vinegar
1 Tablespoon fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon honey
1 clove garlic, minced
1/4 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon dried oregano