Cretan cuisine is getting the global recognition it deserves as dakos, a traditional salad from the island, has been ranked among the world’s best salads. Known for its simplicity and rich flavors, dakos is a culinary masterpiece that captures the essence of Crete. Now, you can enjoy it at home with this easy recipe!
What is Cretan Dakos?
At its core, dakos is a humble yet flavorful dish made with paximadi (Cretan barley rusk), ripe tomatoes, fresh cheese, and the island’s famous olive oil. Its combination of textures and flavors makes it one of the most celebrated dishes in Mediterranean cuisine.
Easy Cretan Dakos Recipe
Here’s how you can make this globally recognized salad in just a few minutes:
Ingredients:
- 2 large paximadia (Cretan barley rusks)
- 2 ripe tomatoes, grated
- 100g mizithra or feta cheese, crumbled
- Extra virgin olive oil (the more, the better!)
- Dried oregano
- Salt
- Cretan olives (optional)
Instructions:
- Soften the Rusks: Lightly moisten the paximadia with water (just a few sprinkles to soften them but keep the crunch).
- Add the Tomatoes: Grate the tomatoes and spread them generously over the softened rusks.
- Top with Cheese: Sprinkle crumbled mizithra or feta over the tomatoes.
- Season and Drizzle: Add a pinch of salt and dried oregano, then drizzle with a generous amount of extra virgin olive oil.
- Garnish: Top with olives if desired.
Your dakos is ready to serve! Enjoy it as a light meal, snack, or appetizer and experience the flavors that have put this salad on the world map.
With just a few fresh ingredients, you can recreate the essence of Crete in your kitchen. Try this recipe and discover why dakos has become a global favorite!
