Salads
You will find this salad on almost every dinner table in Turkey, and for good reason. It is the perfect side dish for grilled meats, stews, or even just a slice of crusty bread. The secret to its amazing flavor is simple: we rub the onions with a little salt to remove the harsh bite, leaving them sweet and mild. It’s fresh, healthy, and goes with absolutely everything.
Ingredients :
- 3 large ripe tomatoes (juicy variety)
- 3-4 Persian cucumbers (or 2 regular cucumbers, seeds removed)
- 3 Turkish green peppers (Sivri Biber - or any thin-skinned mild green pepper)
- 1 medium onion (red onion adds better color)
- 1/3 bunch fresh parsley (flat-leaf, finely chopped)
- DRESSING:
- 4-5 tbsp extra virgin olive oil (generous amount)
- Juice of 1 lemon (freshly squeezed)
- 1/2 tsp salt
- Optional toppings: Crumbled Feta cheese, pomegranate seeds, or walnuts
Preparation :
- The Secret is in the Chop: Dice the tomatoes, cucumbers, and green peppers into very small, uniform cubes (about the size of a chickpea). The smaller the chop, the better the flavors meld.
- Peel the onion and dice it finely in moon shape.
- Pro Tip for Onions: Place the diced onions in a small bowl, sprinkle with a pinch of salt, and rub them gently with your fingers. This removes the harsh raw bite and releases their sweetness.
- In a large salad bowl, combine the chopped tomatoes, cucumbers, peppers, rubbed onions, and finely chopped parsley.
- Prepare the Dressing: In a small jar or cup, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt.
- Pour the dressing over the salad and toss thoroughly to coat every piece.
- Let it sit for 5-10 minutes. The salt will draw out the juices from the tomatoes, creating a delicious 'salad water' at the bottom of the bowl.
- Optionally top with feta cheese or pomegranate seeds.
