This “Crisp Cucumber and Tomato Salad with Tangy Vinaigrette” is a refreshing and vibrant side dish that celebrates the simplicity and freshness of garden vegetables. As seen in the images, the salad features crisp, thinly sliced cucumbers, bright red diced tomatoes, and sharp white onion, all gently tossed in a clear, tangy dressing. The cucumbers are sliced into rounds, some showing their characteristic seeds, indicating a fresh and wholesome ingredient. The tomatoes are diced into appealing, bite-sized pieces, adding a burst of color and a juicy texture. The white onion is thinly sliced or finely chopped, providing a piquant counterpoint to the sweetness of the tomatoes and the coolness of the cucumbers. A light dusting of what appears to be black pepper is visible on the vegetables, suggesting a simple yet effective seasoning. The vegetables are submerged in a clear liquid, indicating a vinaigrette-style dressing that lightly coats and infuses the ingredients with flavor without overpowering their natural essence. This salad is incredibly versatile, serving as an excellent accompaniment to grilled meats, seafood, or as a light, stand-alone lunch. It’s particularly well-suited for warm weather, offering a cooling and hydrating experience. The key to its success lies in fresh, quality ingredients and a balanced dressing that enhances, rather than masks, the natural flavors of the vegetables. The slight “sweating” of the vegetables in the dressing means they are absorbing the flavors and becoming even more delicious over a short period.
The sliced cucumbers, diced tomatoes, and chopped white onion are the main visible components of the salad. The presence of a clear liquid dressing covering the vegetables is evident. A sprinkle of black pepper is visible on the surface.
Ingredients:
- For the Salad:
- 3 medium cucumbers (about 1.5 lbs), thinly sliced (peeled or unpeeled, based on preference)
- 3 medium ripe tomatoes, diced into bite-sized pieces
- ½ medium white onion, thinly sliced or finely chopped
- Optional: ¼ cup chopped fresh dill or parsley for added freshness and color
- For the Tangy Vinaigrette:
- ¼ cup (60ml) apple cider vinegar (or white wine vinegar for a milder tang)
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon granulated sugar (or to taste, for balance)
- 1 teaspoon salt (or to taste)
- ½ teaspoon black pepper (as seen in images)
- Optional: ½ teaspoon dried oregano or a pinch of red pepper flakes for a subtle kick
- Equipment:
- Large mixing bowl
- Sharp knife
- Cutting board
- Whisk or small jar with lid (for dressing)
Instructions:
Part 1: Prepare the Vegetables
- Wash and Prep Cucumbers: Wash the cucumbers thoroughly. You can peel them entirely, partially, or leave the skin on, depending on your preference. For a classic look similar to the images, leave some skin on, as the slight green edge is visible. Slice the cucumbers thinly into rounds, about ⅛ to ¼ inch thick. If using larger cucumbers, you can cut the rounds in half. Place the sliced cucumbers into a large mixing bowl.
- Dice Tomatoes: Wash the tomatoes. Carefully dice them into uniform, bite-sized pieces. Aim for pieces that are roughly the same size as your cucumber slices or slightly smaller chunks. Add the diced tomatoes to the bowl with the cucumbers.
- Chop Onion: Peel and either thinly slice or finely chop the white onion. If you prefer a milder onion flavor, you can rinse the chopped onion under cold water for a minute after chopping, then drain well, before adding it to the salad. Add the prepared onion to the bowl with the other vegetables.
- Add Optional Herbs: If using fresh dill or parsley, chop them finely and add to the bowl with the vegetables.
Part 2: Prepare the Tangy Vinaigrette
- Combine Dressing Ingredients: In a small bowl, whisk together the apple cider vinegar, extra virgin olive oil, granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, and ½ teaspoon black pepper. If using dried oregano or red pepper flakes, add them now.
- Whisk or Shake: Whisk vigorously until the sugar and salt are dissolved and the dressing is well combined and slightly emulsified. Alternatively, combine all dressing ingredients in a small jar with a tight-fitting lid and shake well until mixed.
- Taste and Adjust: Taste the vinaigrette and adjust the seasoning as needed. You might want a bit more sugar for sweetness, more salt, or more pepper, depending on your preference. The goal is a balanced tangy, sweet, and savory flavor profile.
Part 3: Assemble and Chill the Salad
- Pour Dressing over Vegetables: Pour the freshly prepared tangy vinaigrette over the vegetables in the large mixing bowl.
- Toss Gently: Gently toss the salad with a large spoon or your hands (wearing gloves, if preferred) to ensure all the vegetables are evenly coated with the dressing. The images show the vegetables well-mixed and coated.
- Chill and Marinate: Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving. Chilling allows the flavors to meld and the vegetables to slightly marinate in the dressing, enhancing their taste and texture. For optimal flavor development, chilling for 1-2 hours is ideal.
Part 4: Serve
- Stir Before Serving: Before serving, give the salad another gentle stir. The vegetables will have released some of their juices, contributing to the delicious liquid at the bottom of the bowl, as seen in the images.
- Serve Cold: Serve the Crisp Cucumber and Tomato Salad cold as a refreshing side dish. It pairs wonderfully with grilled chicken, fish, burgers, or any summer meal.
Tips for Success:
- Fresh Ingredients: The success of this simple salad heavily relies on the freshness and quality of your cucumbers and tomatoes. Choose firm, ripe tomatoes and crisp cucumbers.
- Uniform Slices/Dices: Cutting the vegetables into similar sizes ensures that each bite contains a balanced mix of flavors and textures.
- Adjust Sweetness: The amount of sugar in the dressing can be adjusted based on the sweetness of your tomatoes and your personal preference. Some prefer a sweeter dressing, others a more tart one.
- Chill Time: Don’t skip the chilling step! It’s essential for the flavors to fully develop and for the salad to become wonderfully refreshing.
- Dress Just Before Serving (Optional): While this recipe benefits from a short marination, if you’re making a very large batch and plan to serve it over a long period, you might consider preparing the vegetables and dressing separately and combining them just before serving to maintain maximum crispness of the cucumbers. However, the slight softening from marinating is also a desirable quality in this type of salad.
- Additions: Feel free to experiment with other additions like thinly sliced radishes, a sprinkle of feta cheese, or a few olives for extra flavor and texture.
Enjoy this light, flavorful, and incredibly refreshing “Crisp Cucumber and Tomato Salad with Tangy Vinaigrette!”