Cucumber Mint Salad
Sometimes, it’s the simple things in life that really make it. A good base for a salad is like the perfect blank canvas for an artist-or perfect as is! Refreshing, delicious, and super simple to pull together to add flavor and color to any summertime table!
Move over basil-the other green is in town! One of my favorite summertime dishes is not one I would think to write a recipe for-a simple, easily thrown together, fresh salad, typically with 5 ingredients or less. I often have fresh produce around, and letting these do the talking, while I do nothing other than provide the platform of a great dressing seems to bring together any meal without adding much work. While my standby ingredients usually include basil and tomatoes, a few weeks ago I was showcasing mint and had an abundance of it! Almost out of necessity, I threw this together as a springtime rendition to try, and boy was I in for a treat! The lemon and mint dance perfectly together in this tango of flavors, and little more would be desired to make this complete.
Versatility is key! I find when it comes to fresh summer produce, a lot of my goods have a shorter shelf life, as they are picked from the garden and may not be refrigerated. This just makes for creativity in the kitchen with what is needed to use vs just what a recipe calls for. What I LOVE about this salad is it provides a wonderful base for the very spring and summer produce I have already on hand. Without the weight of a vinegar, it has a light and refreshing feel that would be great with a mix of additional vegetables and maybe some fresh fruit tossed in (as we are coming into strawberry season…hint hint)! Also, with temperatures nearing the 90s, who wants to cook over a stove? I’ve tossed this salad on top of a bed of fresh greens with some sliced chicken or avocado for a complete and satisfying lunch!
Loving that fresh mint and looking for more ways to use it this summer?! Check out these additional recipes!
Asparagus and Mint Salad with Pickled Radishes
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Cucumber Mint Salad
Equipment
- Mixing bowl
- Kitchen knife
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp Olive Oil
- 1/2 squeezed Fresh Lemon Juice
- Salt and Pepper to taste
- 2 stalks Fresh Mint
- 1 large Cucumber
- 1/4 sliced Red Onion
- 1/4 cup Crumbled Feta
Instructions
- So simple! Squeeze the lemon juice into a large bowl, add olive oil, salt and pepper. Whisk to combine.
- Slice cucumber, using spoon to remove seeds by scraping down the middle. Toss into dressing mixture.
- Slice red onion thinly and add to bowl. Toss ingredients together and let sit for a few minutes. This step could be done ahead of time, as it's nice to give the cucumbers time to soak in the dressing.
- Add in sliced mint and crumbled feta, reserving a small amount for garnish. Enjoy!!Variations: this is such a simple salad but a great base for many options! The lemon and mint give balsamic and basil a break, and open up for a lighter version of the classic salad. Fresh tomatoes, sliced strawberries, or spring greens would add a great addition!
