I love Greek food. Whether it’s spanakopita, gyro sandwiches, or souvlaki, I’m in. One of my favorite places to eat was the Greek Gourmet when I was growing up. I was crushed when it closed years ago. I would give anything for a bowl of their stewed spinach with tomatoes and dill again.
When I’m at home for lunch, most days I make myself a Greek salad. I like a traditional Greek salad complete with lettuce, tomato, cucumber, feta, onion, kalamata olives, and sometimes an occasional banana pepper thrown in.
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Over the years, I have tried many different dressings to go along with it. If you want to make a very good, authentic salad, the easiest way to do so is with Cavender’s Greek Seasoning, which is available in the spice aisle of most grocery stores. Cavender’s is a blend of oregano, garlic, pepper and other spices that adds a great flavor. I mix it with olive oil, juice from half a lemon, salt and pepper for an easy dressing. For a creamier version of this dressing, you can add it to tzatziki sauce with some added lemon juice instead. I have found some very good tzatziki sauce available for purchase at Costco, but it is pretty easy to make your own if you are inclined. Check out this recipe to get you started.
I also recommend using this seasoning on anything from fish to chicken. If you want a simple marinade for either fish or chicken, the salad dressing can also double as one—just be sure to use a fresh batch for use on your salad. You cannot use it once it has touched raw fish or chicken.
Serve it alone or with your favorite soup. It’s best with the Greek Gourmet’s spinach, though, if you can scrounge up a recipe.
