Traditional Greek Lettuce Salad- Maroulosalata

This is the traditional greek lettuce salad - maroulosalata. It is fresh, delicious, simple to make, and a great side to pasta or anything roasted or grilled.

How to make this maroulosalata

For a fresh and lovely greek lettuce salad-maroulosalata, you need few ingredients.

• Romaine lettuce hearts: Crisp, succulent, and crunchy with a mild, slightly bitter taste, the base of this salad.
• Scallions: Sharp, with a little spicy, peppery flavor, they are milder than regular onions.
• Dill: The fragrant herb is a must for this salad.
• English cucumber: Mild, not bitter, and almost sweet with a thin edible skin.
• Extra virgin olive oil and red wine vinegar: It would not be a Greek salad without them!

Make the greek lettuce salad dressing

In a bowl, whisk ⅓ cup of extra virgin olive oil, 4 tbsp red wine vinegar, and a pinch of salt.

Prepare the greens

Choose two tender and crunchy romaine lettuce hearts.

After washing leaves very well, let them drain in a colander and dry them on a paper towel. You can also use a salad spinner.

Chop lettuce in thin strips.

Slice the scallions-greens included.

Slice cucumber into coins. I like to keep the skin on. Roughly chop the dill sprigs.

Place all in a large salad bowl, and toss well with the dressing. Garnish with olives and few small dill sprigs. Serve immediately.

Tips & substitutions

• For a great crunchy maroulosalata, the lettuce must be well dried.
• Although it is best to chop the lettuce right before serving, you can cut it ahead of time and store it in an airtight container in the fridge for a few hours.
• This greek lettuce salad should be consumed immediately after you dress it; otherwise, the lettuce will soften.
• Scallions must be fresh and tender because the whole veggie is used, whites, and greens.
• If you prefer a lemon dressing, replace the vinegar with lemon.

• The traditional Greek peasant salad - horiatiki has ripe tomatoes, cucumber, bell pepper, red onion, olives, extra virgin olive oil, and feta cheese. 
• This black-eyed peas salad is fresh and fragrant and has a Mediterranean vibe. 

Check all the pantry items a Greek kitchen wouldn’t go without.

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