Fresh Cucumber Caprese Salad (Print Version)
# Ingredients:
→ Main ingredients
01 -
2 tablespoons olive oil
02 -
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
03 -
1 tablespoon dried oregano
04 -
1 tablespoon dried basil
05 -
Pinch of salt
06 -
Pinch of pepper
07 -
1 cucumber, peeled, fork-scored, and thinly sliced, then diced
08 -
1½ cups cherry tomatoes, cut into quarters
09 -
8 oz fresh mozzarella
10 -
½ large red onion, chopped into small pieces
# Instructions:
01 -
In a small bowl, mix together olive oil, balsamic vinegar, dried oregano, dried basil, and a dash of salt and pepper. Stir until all the ingredients are well combined. Set aside to let the flavors meld together while preparing the rest of the salad.
02 -
Start by peeling a washed cucumber. Use a fork to scrape the skin up and down a few times to create a textured surface. Slice the cucumber thinly and then dice it into small pieces. Place the diced cucumber in a medium-sized bowl.
03 -
Quarter the washed cherry tomatoes and add them to the bowl with the diced cucumbers. Next, thinly slice and dice a red onion. Add the onion to the bowl with the cucumbers and tomatoes. If you prefer not to use onion, this step can be omitted.
04 -
Slice mozzarella into bite-sized pieces, or use pearl-sized mozzarella balls if available. Add the mozzarella to the bowl with the cucumbers, tomatoes, and red onion, ensuring all the ingredients are evenly distributed.
05 -
Pour the prepared marinade over the vegetables and cheese in the bowl. Mix everything well, ensuring the marinade coats all the ingredients evenly. Allow the salad to sit for 10 minutes before serving to let the flavors develop.
# Notes:
01 -
Salting cucumber slices and allowing them to drain for 15-20 minutes can help reduce excess moisture in the salad.
02 -
Ensure mozzarella is dried with paper towels before cutting to minimize liquid in the dish.
03 -
Wait to add the dressing until just before serving to maintain the crispness of the vegetables.