Vegetable and lettuce salad with cheese

Ingredients

• a few mixed lettuce leaves
• 1 large tomato or a handful of cherry tomatoes
• 2 cucumbers
• 1 bell pepper
• 100 g pitted olives (canned)
• 1 red or sweet onion, optional
• 100 g fresh cheese – feta, goat’s cheese, or another of your choice
• olive oil
• balsamic vinegar
• salt
• dried oregano
• fresh basil or dried oregano leaves, optional
• sliced bread, to serve

Method

1. Peel the onion. If its flavour is too strong, rinse the slices in cold water and pat dry. Remove the seeds from the bell pepper. Peel the cucumbers, leaving some skin on if you like, to create vertical stripes.
2. Tear the salad leaves into bite-sized pieces. Cut the tomato into large slices. If using cherry tomatoes, cut them in half. Slice the cucumbers and onion. Cut the bell pepper into slices, then into small pieces.
3. For the dressing, you can simply use olive oil and salt, or add a little balsamic vinegar or lemon juice and whisk until smooth.
4. In a large glass bowl, layer the vegetables, placing the cheese and olives on top. Drizzle over the dressing and sprinkle with dried oregano, or add fresh basil leaves if desired.
5. To serve, plate the salad so that each portion contains all the ingredients and some dressing. Serve with sliced bread and, if desired, a good wine.