Summer is the season for vibrant, refreshing dishes that make the most of the freshest produce. One such dish is a summer cherry tomato salad with cucumbers and onions. It’s delicious, easy to prepare, full of fresh flavours, and sure to be a hit with anyone who tries it. The simplicity of this salad is what makes it so appealing. With just a few fresh ingredients and a simple dressing, you can create a salad that’s both delicious and beautiful. It’s perfect for picnics, barbecues, or as a side dish for any summer meal.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Cherry Tomato: Look for ripe, sweet, colourful cherry tomatoes. If possible, buy locally grown produce or pick some vine tomatoes from your garden for the freshest taste. Cherry Tomatoes taste great in pasta or couscous soup too. You can use heirloom tomatoes also like I did for my summer tomato salad recipe. Cucumber: Firm, fresh Spanish or English cucumbers are the right choice. Red Onion for the sharp taste. Soak onion in cold water after slicing to mellow down the sharp taste. Herbs: A mix of fresh mint, cilantro, parsley or Italian basil. Cheese: The addition of soft cheese like goat, feta, or mozzarella takes this tomato salad up a notch. To keep it vegan, skip adding cheese. Salad Dressing: It is a mix of extra virgin olive oil, red wine vinegar, lemon juice, minced garlic, Dijon mustard, sea salt and crushed pepper.
How To Make Cherry Tomato Salad
1. Prepare the Vegetables
Cut cherry tomatoes in half. If you prefer, you can quarter them instead. Next, peel the cucumber if it has thick skin; otherwise, you can leave it on for added texture and nutrients. Dice the cucumber into bite-sized pieces. Lastly, thinly slice the red onion. If you find raw onions too pungent, you can soak the slices in cold water for about 10 minutes to mellow their flavour.
2. Make the Vinaigrette
In a small bowl, combine the minced garlic, Dijon mustard, red wine vinegar, salt, and pepper. Slowly whisk in the extra virgin olive oil until the mixture is well emulsified.
This vinaigrette is what gives the salad its tangy, refreshing flavour, and it’s a versatile dressing you can use for other salad recipes as well.
3. Assemble the Salad
In a large salad bowl, combine the halved cherry tomatoes, diced cucumbers, and sliced red onions. Pour the vinaigrette over the salad and toss everything together gently. Make sure all the vegetables are well coated with the dressing.
4. Let It Marinate
For the best flavour, let the cherry tomato salad marinate for at least 15-20 minutes before serving. This allows the tomatoes to soak up the vinaigrette, enhancing its natural flavours. If you have the time, letting it sit for an hour or two can make it even better. Just before serving, garnish the salad with fresh basil or parsley. Serve the cherry tomato salad chilled for a refreshing treat on a hot summer day.
More Salad Recipes
Avocado Salad Fattoush Salad Couscous Salad Mixed Beans Salad Herbed Potato Salad Greek Orzo Pasta Salad
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