Tomato, Cucumber, and Feta Salad

I realize Summer has come and gone, and we are fully into the Fall season. Or at least I have been since Labor Day, which seems like an acceptable point to break out all things pumpkin. But I made this side dish so many times this last Summer that I just have to share.

I give all credit for this recipe to the best next door neighbor and girlfriend. Ever since their family moved in, my friend and I bonded over our children, all things (internet) shopping, the crazy that is mom life, and comparison of our weekly meal planning. Or in my case, lack thereof.

You see, cooking has never been my thing. But when I became a SAHM, I knew I had to trade in my mixer for a sauté pan because… I didn’t exactly want to raise my kids on cream cheese frosting. So for the past couple of years I’ve embraced the savory side, scouring cookbooks and blogs for recipes of all types. But mostly quick, easy, and tasty, which are harder to find than you’d think!

But I soon realized that instead of scrolling through the internet, all I needed to do was pop my head over the fence. Because while I was cooking maybe two to three times per week (for dinner only while leftovers/take out getting us through the rest of the week), my neighbor was sharpening her knives two to three times per day. Homemade meals for her kiddos, inspired by her Albanian roots.

But on a random Sunday night, while chatting over the fence from our stoops, our gracious neighbors invited us over for a rooftop grill out. In a matter of minutes, they had steaks on the grill, homemade guacamole on the table and this. This Tomato, Cucumber, and Feta Salad.

I don’t know if it was the heat of the Summer night or that my neighbor sneaked a little sumthin’, sumthin’ in this dish, but I swear I had never tasted anything so refreshing. Whether it was the juicy tomatoes, crispy cucumbers, or creamy feta, I couldn’t keep myself from going back for more. It was just that good.

I realize this isn’t exactly a groundbreaking recipe, but sometimes I forget how a few simple ingredients can create the tastiest dishes. And since I made this side dish all Summer with whatever protein served as a good excuse, I feel it’s my duty to share with you all. Because this salad will be one of the quickest and easiest recipes you’ll ever find on this blog. Packed with flavor, crunch, and creaminess, this super fresh Summer side dish will have you devising full meals around it. Or at least I did. All Summer long.