Summers in Romania are very hot. Sometimes 40 degrees Celsius hot. And there’s nothing better for a light lunch on a hot day than a Romanian summer salad, which is extremely refreshing.
This Romanian summer salad recipe is very versatile and you can adjust it to your taste. The only recommendation I have is to use really fresh vegetables, preferably bought in the farmer’s market or homegrown. There is nothing more delicious than the sweetness of a ripe tomato that truly tastes like a tomato. Because let’s face it, supermarket tomatoes have no taste at all.
Once you finish the salad, don’t wash away the juice. Grab a slice of bread and dip it in the leftover juice – you will thank me!
The Ingredients for the Romanian Summer Salad Recipe
To make this refreshing Romanian summer salad, you’ll need two large ripe tomatoes, a cucumber, a red pepper, and two spring onions. Whilst not necessary, I always add telemea cheese because it just gives the salad that extra bit that just takes its taste to a different level. The dressing for this salad is very simple, just olive oil and white vine or apple cider vinegar. For a bit of freshness, add your preferred herbs, such as dill or parsley. As currently my herbs are still growing in the garden, on this occasion I opted for dried dill.
How to Make the Romanian Summer Salad
Start by slicing the tomatoes and cucumber, then cut the cucumber slices in half. Dice the red pepper into small cubes and roughly chop the spring onions. Cut the telemea cheese into cubes. In a large bowl, gently mix all the vegetables and the cheese together, taking care not to break the tomatoes or the cheese cubes. Add the chopped herbs, then drizzle with the olive oil and white wine vinegar. Mix everything gently once more to ensure the dressing coats all the ingredients. Refrigerate the salad for at least an hour before serving to let the flavours meld and chill the salad. Serve cold and enjoy!
Notes and Tips:
- Use fresh ingredients. For the best flavour, use the freshest vegetables you can find, preferably from the farmer’s market. I use homegrown vegetables, from my garden, which are natural, without any chemicals.
- If you can’t find telemea cheese, feta is the closest substitute.
- You can use any herbs you’d like in this salad. I prefer parsley and dill.
Romanian Summer Salad
Ingredients
- 2 large ripe tomatoes
- 1 cucumber
- 1 red pepper
- 2 spring onions
- 100 gr telemea cheese or feta
- dill, parsley or any other herbs you prefer
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp white wine vinegar
Instructions
- Slice the tomatoes.
- Slice the cucumber and then cut the slices in half.
- Cut the pepper into small cubes.
- Roughly chop the spring onions.
- Cut the telemea cheese into cubes.
- Mix all together in a big bowl, gently, so you don’t break the tomatoes or the cheese.
- Add the herbs, olive oil and vinegar.
- Mix again.
- Put the salad in the fridge for at least one hour.
- Serve cold.
FAQ:
Can I prepare the salad in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the salad a few hours in advance and keep it refrigerated
Can I use a different type of cheese?
While telemea is the traditional Romanian cheese, you can experiment with other cheeses like feta or even goat cheese.
How long does the salad last in the fridge?
The salad is best eaten fresh but can be stored in the fridge for up to 24 hours. However, the vegetables will lose some of their crispness over time.
For more traditional Romanian salads, check out my recommendations below:
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