Classic Greek Salad with Sirtaki Cheese and Tomatoes

Cooking method

1. Step 1:

   

   How do you make a classic Greek salad with Sirtaki cheese and tomatoes? Very simply. First, gather the ingredients from the list. You can use any tomatoes. I have small, fragrant farm tomatoes. You can add to or swap out the vegetables to your taste.

2. Step 2:

   

   Wash the cucumbers, dry them, and cut them into half-moons. If the skin isn't tough, damaged, or bitter, you don't need to peel it off.

3. Step 3:

   

   Wash the tomatoes, dry them, and cut them into quarters, removing the seedy center. You can leave the seeds if you like. If you have cherry tomatoes, halve them. The tomatoes should be juicy but firm. Soft ones don't hold their shape well; as you cut and mix them, they fall apart into a shapeless mush and ruin the look of the dish.

4. Step 4:

   

   Cut the Sirtaki cheese into small cubes. You can replace the Sirtaki with classic Greek feta, or another soft cheese like brynza, mozzarella, Adyghe, cream cheese, or processed cheese spread; though in that case it'll be more of a Greek-style salad.

5. Step 5:

   

   Peel the red onion and cut it into thin rings or half-rings. If you like, you can marinate the onion in a mix of vinegar and sugar for 20 minutes.

6. Step 6:

   

   Combine the tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onion in a salad bowl. Drizzle the salad with olive oil, add salt and pepper, and mix gently, trying not to crush the tomatoes.

7. Step 7:

   

   Add the cheese cubes to the salad. I add the Sirtaki after mixing the vegetables with oil and spices, to keep the cheese pieces intact.

8. Step 8:

   

   You can use any herbs or olives to garnish the salad. I used small-leaf bush basil and pitted olives.

9. Step 9:

   

   Serve the salad garnished with olives and fresh herbs. Enjoy!