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Fresh Summer Salad with Cucumber and Tomatoes

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A light, vibrant, and healthy salad featuring ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, fresh herbs, and a zesty lemon-honey dressing. Perfect for quick summer meals and gatherings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 2 large ripe tomatoes, diced
  • 1 large cucumber, peeled and chopped
  • 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
  • 2 tablespoons fresh parsley, chopped (optional)
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon honey or agave syrup
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon toasted pine nuts or sunflower seeds (optional)

Instructions

  1. Wash and prep your vegetables: rinse tomatoes, cucumber, and herbs under cold water and pat dry. Dice tomatoes into roughly 1-inch pieces and chop cucumber into similar-sized chunks. Thinly slice the red onion into half-moons.
  2. Prepare the herbs: remove basil leaves from stems and chop roughly. Chop parsley finely if using. Set aside.
  3. Make the dressing: in a small bowl or jar, combine 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil, 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice, 1 teaspoon honey, and a pinch of salt and pepper. Whisk or shake vigorously until emulsified.
  4. Toss the salad: in a large mixing bowl, combine diced tomatoes, cucumber, sliced onions, and herbs. Pour dressing over salad and gently toss to coat without making tomatoes mushy.
  5. Optional additions: sprinkle crumbled feta cheese and toasted pine nuts over the top for extra flavor and crunch.
  6. Let it rest: allow the salad to sit for 5-10 minutes at room temperature to meld flavors and soften onions slightly.
  7. Serve: transfer to a serving bowl or plate and enjoy.

Notes

Use ripe but firm tomatoes to avoid sogginess. Thinly slice red onion and soak in cold water for 5 minutes to soften bite if desired. Whisk dressing thoroughly to emulsify. Serve soon after mixing or keep dressing separate if prepping ahead. Optional add-ons include feta cheese and toasted nuts for extra flavor and texture.

Nutrition

Keywords: summer salad, cucumber salad, tomato salad, healthy salad, easy salad recipe, fresh salad, vegetarian, gluten-free

Find it online: https://shimmersnack.com/fresh-summer-salad-with-cucumber-and-tomatoes-easy-recipe-for-healthy-meals/