Pure and Simple Greek Salad

I live with, and share a kitchen with, a food purist.

On one hand, it’s very nice—we always have plenty of quality ingredients and we always eat quality food. On the other hand… I live with a food purist.

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been told that “those aren’t real bagels, you know.” (The water here in California just doesn’t live up to that of New York, he says.) Or that I can’t use strawberry flavored cream cheese, because it “tastes like frosting.” (The only appropriate topping for bagels is plain cream cheese—or salmon, if you’re feeling particularly kosher.)

Ok, so those are both bagel-related. Breakfast items aside, I can’t indulge in crappy junk food without being told that my Kraft mac ‘n cheese, delivered pizza, or whatever I may require to eat my feelings just isn’t edible. This will then be followed by the statement, “I guess I’m just a __________ purist.” (Insert any food item here.)

So, I have decided to share the most simple and pure recipe I know: Greek salad. It’s made with very few ingredients, and fresh ones at that. It makes for a beautiful and authentic dish.

As my lovely roommate would say, stay pure, my friend—stay pure.

Pure and Simple Greek Salad

1 medium cucumber
2 large tomatoes
1 small red onion
1 bell pepper
1 tsp olive oil
Salt and pepper to taste
¼ cup crumbled feta cheese

Cube the cucumber, tomatoes, onion and bell pepper into bite-sized pieces. In a large bowl, mix the vegetables with the olive oil. Sprinkle with the salt and pepper and mix again. Top with the feta and serve.