Should I use block or crumbled feta?

Always buy feta in a block, preferably made from sheep's milk and packed in brine. Cut it into generous cubes—crumbled feta lacks both the drama and the creaminess.

How do I choose ripe tomatoes?

Use cherry or vine-ripened varieties for the best balance of sweetness and structure. Salt them lightly and let them sit for a few minutes to concentrate their flavor.

Why soak the red onion?

Soak thinly sliced red onion in ice water or red wine vinegar for 10–15 minutes. It softens the sharpness and adds a gentle tang.

Is lettuce necessary in a traditional Greek salad?

Traditional Horiatiki doesn't include lettuce, but if you enjoy it, a handful of crisp romaine adds a refreshing crunch. Just keep it in the supporting role.

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Greek Salad (Horiatiki) Recipe

Name: Greek Salad (Horiatiki)
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Greek
Ingredients: 2 red bell peppers, large-diced; 1 hothouse cucumber, unpeeled, seeded, and sliced ¼ inch thick; 2 ripe tomatoes, quartered, or 1 pint of cherry or grape tomatoes, halved; ½ red onion, thinly sliced into half-moons; ½ pound feta cheese, cut into ½-inch cubes; ½ cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved; 1 head romaine lettuce, torn into bite-sized pieces; 2 cloves garlic, minced; 1½ teaspoons dried oregano; ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard; 2 teaspoons honey; ¼ cup good-quality red wine vinegar; 1 teaspoon kosher salt; ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper; ½ cup good olive oil