Description
Crisp summer cucumber pepper salad brings Mediterranean freshness to your table with zesty ingredients. Cool vegetables dance with tangy dressing, promising a light and refreshing side dish you’ll savor with every delightful bite.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Vegetables:
- 2 large cucumbers, thinly sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
- ½ red onion, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup fresh parsley or cilantro, chopped (optional)
Dressing Ingredients:
- ¼ cup olive oil
- 2 tablespoons (30 milliliters) apple cider vinegar (or lemon juice)
- 1 teaspoon (5 milliliters) honey (or maple syrup for vegan)
- ½ teaspoon Dijon mustard
Seasoning Ingredients:
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon black pepper
Instructions
- Meticulously wash and pat dry the cucumber, bell peppers, and red onion to ensure crisp, clean vegetables for the salad.
- Expertly slice cucumbers and bell peppers into delicate, uniform julienne strips, creating an elegant visual texture for the dish.
- Thinly chop the red onion to distribute its sharp flavor evenly throughout the salad, ensuring a balanced taste profile.
- Finely mince fresh parsley or cilantro to add a vibrant, herbaceous note that complements the crisp vegetables.
- In a separate mixing vessel, vigorously whisk together olive oil, vinegar, and honey to create a smooth, emulsified base for the dressing.
- Incorporate Dijon mustard into the dressing, whisking thoroughly to blend and enhance the overall flavor complexity.
- Season the dressing with garlic powder, salt, and freshly ground black pepper, adjusting to taste and creating a harmonious flavor blend.
- Gently cascade the prepared dressing over the sliced vegetables, using a delicate tossing motion to ensure each piece is evenly coated.
- Allow the salad to rest for approximately 15 minutes, enabling the vegetables to absorb the dressing’s nuanced flavors and soften slightly.
- Transfer the salad to a serving dish, presenting it chilled or at ambient temperature as a refreshing and vibrant side accompaniment.
Notes
- Slice vegetables uniformly to ensure even marination and consistent texture throughout the salad.
- Adjust vinegar and honey ratios to balance tanginess and sweetness according to personal preference.
- Choose fresh, crisp cucumbers and bell peppers for maximum crunch and vibrant flavor profile.
- Consider adding protein like crumbled feta, grilled chicken, or toasted nuts to transform this side dish into a complete meal.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Blending
- Cuisine: Mediterranean
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 150
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 300mg
- Fat: 14g
- Saturated Fat: 2g
- Unsaturated Fat: 12g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 9g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg