In looking over the menu at Pita Pita, a recent Frugal Floozie Friday feature, I noted a cabbage salad. It sounded intriguing, with typical Middle Eastern flavorings such as a light dressing of olive oil and lemon, and also a touch of mint.

I'd heard it calling to me since I left the restaurant, and so I decided to make my own. I made it at breakfast time, so that I could take it to work with me, and it was ridiculously easy; even in the midst of the morning caffeination.

The salad's flavors mingled through the morning, and it was a bright, uniquely flavored treat for lunch.

Mediterranean Cabbage Salad

1 small head cabbage, quartered, sliced very thin
1 small onion, halved, sliced very thin
4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1/4 teaspoon dried mint (available at Middle Eastern markets)
juice of 1 lemon
generous pinches of kosher salt and freshly ground pepper

In a large bowl, combine cabbage and onion. In a small cup, combine oil, mint, lemon juice, salt, and pepper; pour over cabbage. Toss to coat cabbage with dressing, then let salad rest for a few hours to let the flavors combine.

Serves 8-10 as a side dish.

Mary Bilyeu writes for AnnArbor.com on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, telling about her adventures in the kitchen - making dinner, celebrating holidays, entering cooking contests, meeting new friends ... whatever strikes her fancy. She is also on a mission to find great deals for her Frugal Floozie Friday posts, seeking fabulous food at restaurants on the limited budget of only $5 per person. Feel free to email her with questions, comments, or suggestions: yentamary@gmail.com.

Go visit Mary's blog — Food Floozie — where she enthuses and effuses over all things food-related; and look for her monthly articles in the Washtenaw Jewish News. "Like" her on Facebook, or send a tweet on Twitter, too.

The phrase "You Should Only Be Happy" (written in Hebrew on the stone pictured in this post) comes from Deuteronomy 16:15 and is a wish for all her readers - when you come to visit here, may you always be happy.