Name: Hellenika’s Greek salad
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Yield: 6 - 8
Ingredients: 6 baby red radishes, trimmed, halved; 150 gm pitted Kalamata olives in brine, drained (see note); 1 large red onion, cut into 3cm pieces (see note); 2 green capsicum (200gm), halved lengthways, seeded, cut into batons; 300 gm telegraph cucumber, peeled, halved lengthways, cut into 3cm pieces; 6 Greek golden peppers in brine (15gm each), drained (see note); 1/2 cup loosely packed dill sprigs; 1 tbsp red wine vinegar; 100 ml extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling; 250 gm barrel-aged feta, drained, cut into 2cm pieces; 10 gm dried Greek oregano, crushed

“I take a lot of pride in our Greek salad – it’s probably the most expensive in Australia (currently $32) but it’s worth it,” says Gloftis. “The dried oregano is rubbed by hand. In fact, it’s nearly a full-time job for someone one day a week because we sell so many salads.”

Ingredients

6 baby red radishes, trimmed, halved

150 gm pitted Kalamata olives in brine, drained (see note)

1 large red onion, cut into 3cm pieces (see note)

2 green capsicum (200gm), halved lengthways, seeded, cut into batons

300 gm telegraph cucumber, peeled, halved lengthways, cut into 3cm pieces

6 Greek golden peppers in brine (15gm each), drained (see note)

1/2 cup loosely packed dill sprigs

1 tbsp red wine vinegar

100 ml extra-virgin olive oil, plus extra for drizzling

250 gm barrel-aged feta, drained, cut into 2cm pieces

10 gm dried Greek oregano, crushed

Method

1.Place radishes, olives, onion, capsicum, cucumber, tomatoes, golden peppers and dill in a large bowl. Pour over vinegar, season to taste and toss to combine. Stand for 10 minutes for flavours to develop.

2.Transfer mixture to a large serving bowl and drizzle with olive oil. Top with feta, scatter with dried oregano and drizzle with extra olive oil.

It is important to have all ingredients at room temperature to take the fridge chill off them. Hellenika uses white onion and a mix of Kalamata and Mammoth olives. Greek golden peppers are available from Greek grocers and specialty food shops.
Notes

Profile Simon Gloftis

Styling by Vivien Walsh