Tomato Cucumber Salad with Feta Cheese

vThis salad is similar to another tomato and cucumber salad I posted last summer, but it's nice to have several options when cucumbers and tomatoes are pouring out of your garden! We have a local source for fresh Feta and it's nice in everything. Check out the website for Northern Prairie Chevre - they love their goats!

2 cups fresh tomatoes - I used 3 medium sized yellow pear tomatoes, peeled, seeded, chopped
1 medium cucumber, seeded and sliced - I partially peel mine
1 Tbs. chopped, fresh oregano
1 Tbs. chopped, fresh parsley
1/4 - 1/3 crumbled Feta cheese
1/2 tsp salt
1/2 tsp pepper
1/2 tsp. sugar - I used dried cane sugar
Mix together gently.

Dressing:
2 cloves garlic, crushed
1-2 Tbs. red wine vinegar
2-4 Tbs. oilio
**a general rule of thumb in dressings is to use twice as much oil as vinegar or other acid

Whisk together until the garlic is evenly distributed and pour over salad.

Tomato Cucumber Salad with Lemon Vinaigrette

This salad is fantastic with seafood! We often have loads of little tomatoes ripen at the same time, and since they aren't the best to can, I try to come up with salads that will set off their distinct flavors. This salad, and the dressing, could easily be transformed into a more Italian flavored dish, by using a traditional Italian vinaigrette, using Parmesan cheese in place of the Feta, and substituting fresh basil for the parsley in the salad.

Salad:
2 C chopped yellow pear tomatoes, or any other tomato you prefer
1 C whole cherry tomatoes
1 small cucumber, sliced thinly
1/4 - 1/2 C crumbled feta cheese
2 Tbs. fresh, chopped parsley
1 tsp. grated lemon zest
salt and pepper to taste

Gently combine all ingredients in a bowl. Pour vinaigrette over the salad and let marinate for 15-30 minutes before serving.

Lemon Vinaigrette:
1/4 cup olive oil
3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 -2 teaspoons white wine vinegar (depends on how tart your lemon is)
1/2 teaspoon Dijon mustard
2 teaspoons honey
1 teaspoon Greek seasoning, or a combination of oregano and thyme
1 clove garlic, minced
3/4 teaspoon coarse salt
1/2 teaspoon pepper

Mix all together in a small bowl and combine thoroughly with a whisk, or mix in a shaker jar.