Çoban Salatası (Shepherd's Salad)

🧂 Ingredients

• 3 Tomatoes(Medium-sized, ripe, and firm. Roma or vine-ripened work well.)
• 2 Cucumbers(Medium-sized. English or Persian cucumbers are preferred for their thin skin and fewer seeds. If using regular cucumbers, you may want to peel them.)
• 1 Onion(Small to medium. Red onion or sweet yellow onion are good choices for their milder flavor.)
• 1 Green bell pepper(Or other mild pepper like a Turkish sivri biber if available. Remove seeds and membrane.)
• 60 ml Olive oil(Good quality extra virgin olive oil for best flavor.)
• 2 tbsp Lemon juice(Freshly squeezed lemon juice is highly recommended.)
• to taste Salt
• 1 tsp Sumac(Optional, for a tangy, slightly peppery flavor.)
• 1/4 cup Fresh parsley(Optional, finely chopped, for added freshness and color.)

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1

   Prepare the vegetables: Wash all vegetables thoroughly. Core and seed the green pepper. Finely dice the tomatoes, cucumbers, onion, and green pepper into small, uniform pieces, about 0.5 cm (1/4 inch) in size. Uniformity in size ensures even distribution of flavors and a pleasing texture.

   ⏱️ 10 minutes
2. 2

   Combine ingredients: Place all the diced vegetables into a medium-sized mixing bowl. If using, add the finely chopped fresh parsley.

   ⏱️ 2 minutes
3. 3

   Dress the salad: Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil and freshly squeezed lemon juice over the vegetables. Add salt to taste.

   ⏱️ 2 minutes
4. 4

   Toss and season: Gently toss the salad to coat all the vegetables evenly with the dressing. Taste and adjust seasoning if necessary. If desired, sprinkle with sumac for an extra layer of flavor.

   ⏱️ 1 minute
5. 5

   Serve immediately: Çoban Salatası is best served fresh, allowing the vegetables to retain their crispness. It can be served as a side dish or a light meal.

   ⏱️ 5 minutes (resting time, optional)

💡 Pro Tips

• ✓The key to a great Çoban Salatası is the uniform, small dice of the vegetables. This ensures every bite is a balanced mix of flavors.
• ✓Use the freshest, ripest vegetables you can find for the best taste and texture.
• ✓This salad is best enjoyed immediately after preparation to maintain the crispness of the vegetables.

🔄 Variations

• Add finely chopped fresh mint for a refreshing twist.
• Incorporate a small amount of finely minced garlic for a bolder flavor.
• A pinch of red pepper flakes can add a subtle heat.

🥗 Nutrition

Per serving