Mediterranean Breakfast Salad with Feta and Olives

This Mediterranean Breakfast Salad is a bright and refreshing way to start your day. With its combination of juicy cherry tomatoes, crisp cucumber, pungent red onion, salty Kalamata olives, tangy feta cheese, and a lemony-thyme vinaigrette, this salad is the definition of Mediterranean flavors. It's light and healthy, yet surprisingly satisfying, making it the perfect meal to fuel your morning.

The origins of this salad are as rich and diverse as the Mediterranean region itself. Many civilizations have inhabited these lands over the centuries, each leaving their culinary mark on the region's cuisine. This salad draws inspiration from various Mediterranean cultures, blending their flavors and techniques to create a truly unique and unforgettable dish. From the sun-kissed tomatoes of Italy to the aromatic olives of Greece and the tangy feta of Cyprus, this salad is a celebration of the Mediterranean's culinary heritage.

Prep time: 15 | Cook time: 0 | Serves: 4

Ingredients

• Cherry tomatoes
• Cucumber
• Red onion
• Kalamata olives
• Feta cheese
• Olive oil
• Lemon juice
• Fresh thyme

Instructions

1. Cut the cherry tomatoes into halves or quarters.
2. Slice the cucumber and red onion thinly.
3. Add the tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, and olives to a large bowl.
4. Crumble the feta cheese over the salad.
5. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice.
6. Sprinkle with fresh thyme.
7. Toss to combine.
8. Serve immediately or chill for later.

Why It Works

• The combination of fresh and crisp vegetables with salty feta and briny olives provides a balance of flavors and textures.
• The lemony-thyme vinaigrette adds a refreshing brightness and acidity, cutting through the richness of the feta and olives.
• The salad is easy to make and can be served immediately or chilled for later, making it a versatile dish for busy mornings.