Summer Salad with Feta

Ingredients:

• 5 medium or large ripe tomatoes cut into wedges (if large, the wedges should be cut crosswise in half), or 1 pint of cherry tomatoes cut in half
• 1/2 European cucumber, or 1 Persian or Japanese cucumber, cut in half lengthwise, seeded if desired, then sliced into half circles about 1/3-inch thick.
• Sea salt or fleur de sel and freshly ground pepper
• 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar or sherry vinegar
• 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta
• 1 to 2 tablespoons chopped fresh mint, or 3/4 teaspoon dried oregano

Toss together the tomatoes, cucumber, salt, pepper, vinegar, and olive oil. Add the feta and herbs, and toss again. Taste, adjust the seasonings, and serve.

Variations: Add any or all of the ingredients below:

• 1/2 small red onion, sliced and rinsed with cold water
• 12 to 18 imported Greek black olives, such as kalamatas or amphisas
• 1 small green, yellow, or red bell pepper
• 1 heart of romaine lettuce, cut in 2-inch pieces
• A handful of cubed stale bread or croutons

Advance preparation:

You can assemble the salad hours before adding the seasonings, vinegar, and olive oil. Be warned: If you salt the salad too long before serving, it will become watery, as the salt draws out juices from the vegetables.

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

Approximate nutritional information: 163 calories; calories from fat: 129; total fat: 14.3g; saturated fat 3.8g; cholesterol 13mg; sodium 175mg; total carbohydrates 6.7g; dietary fiber 1.7g; sugars 4.4g; protein:3.4g