Shopska salad

Shopska salad is a traditional dish of Balkan cuisine, especially popular in Bulgaria, Serbia, and Macedonia. The salad is named after the Shopluk region, where it is most commonly found.

Shopska salad is served chilled and makes a wonderful light dish or side, especially in the summer.

So, in a deep bowl, mix all the chopped vegetables together with the herbs:

• 250 g of cherry tomatoes (or any other), halved or quartered;
• 1 large cucumber (or 2 medium), sliced;
• 1 bell pepper, sliced;
• 1 red onion (or 1 bunch of green onions), chopped;
• 1 can of pitted olives, drained;
• parsley and dill to taste.

If you are using red onion, first blanch it in boiling water to reduce the bitterness.

Prepare the dressing by mixing olive oil (2 tbsp), lemon juice (1 tsp), finely chopped garlic (1 clove), and add salt and black pepper to taste.

Toss the salad with the prepared dressing and mix well.

Serve the salad in portions, then sprinkle each portion with grated feta cheese (200 g).