Loaded Greek Salad

 Delish!  I didn't add the sugar into the dressing.  

Loaded Greek Salad

prep time 15 MINUTES total time 15 MINUTES

An amped up version of a classic Greek salad with avocado, artichokes, garbanzo beans, and more!! The tangy Greek salad dressing is ready in seconds and is a major flavor booster! Naturally gluten-free and vegetarian!!

INGREDIENTS

Salad

•  1 small red onion, sliced into thin strips

•  1 medium English cucumber, diced small

•  2 medium Roma tomatoes, diced small (another type of tomato may be substituted)

•  2/3 cup black kalamata olives, pitted

•  12 ounces artichoke hearts

•  1- 15-ounce can garbanzo beans, drained and rinsed

•  4 ounces feta cheese

•  1 medium Hass avocado, cubed

Greek Dressing/Vinaigrette

•  1/3 cup olive oil, plus more for final drizzling if desired

•  2 to 3 tablespoon red wine or balsamic vinegar (balsamic is stronger and will give more bite)

•  2 to 3 tablespoons lemon juice

•  1 tablespoon Dijon mustard

•  1 teaspoon dried oregano

•  1 teaspoon kosher salt, or to taste

•  3/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper, or to taste

•  2 to 3 teaspoons granulated sugar (optional)

INSTRUCTIONS

For the Salad:

• Add all ingredients to a large bowl; set aside.

For the Greek Dressing:

• Add all ingredients except sugar to a small bowl and whisk vigorously to combine. Taste, and optionally add the sugar. I personally couldn't go without it because I use the higher end of the spectrum of both vinegar and lemon juice. As desired, add more oil, vinegar, salt/pepper, etc. as desired. Tweak the ingredients to make it your own and suit you.

• When you're happy, pour the dressing over the salad and toss well to coat evenly.

• If desired, add a final drizzle of olive oil over the salad, and serve immediately.

• Yield; 8 servings

NOTES

• After being dressed, I suggest consuming salad as soon as possible, but it will keep airtight for up to 3 days in the fridge noting that it will become more watery as the vegetables release their juices and the avocado oxidizes.

https://www.averiecooks.com/loaded-greek-salad/