Tomato and cucumber salad

Tomato and cucumber salad

20 min
Celebrate simplicity with our tomato and cucumber salad recipe. This vibrant jumble of cherry tomatoes, crunchy cucumber, fennel, and parsley, garnished with decadent white cheese and toasted pine nuts, is both refreshing and flavourful. The salad is tossed with a zesty lime dressing infused with a hint of ginger, lending an unexpected warmth and depth to your bites. This delightful salad can steal the show as a light, wholesome lunch or play the perfect sidekick to your regular meals.
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https://www.arlafoods.co.uk/recipes/tomato-and-cucumber-salad/

Instructions

Dressing
  • Grate the zest of the lime before squeezing the juice of it into a bowl.
  • Add olive oil, ginger, salt, and a pinch of sugar. Finish with black pepper.
Salad
  • Preheat the oven to 180°C.
  • Slice both the fennel and cucumber with a mandolin or peeler and let the slices rest in ice-cold water for 15 minutes.
  • Cut the cherry tomatoes in two.
  • Place the pine kernels in the oven for 10 minutes at 180°C.
  • Drain the cucumber and fennel and add them to a bowl before adding the drained white cheese cubes.
  • Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently. Top with roasted pine nuts.
Enjoy!
Tip

If you add the dressing too early, it can make the vegetables soggy as the salt in the dressing draws out the moisture from the tomatoes and cucumbers. To maintain that ideal crispness, add the dressing just before serving.

Questions about tomato and cucumber salad

Cucumber and tomatoes might be a simple combo, but together they taste wonderful, especially with the right zesty dressing. Keep on reading to learn more.

What to serve with tomato and cucumber salad?
A tangy and aromatic dressing pairs beautifully with this tomato and cucumber salad. Opt for a vinaigrette or one with oil, lime, and other seasonings to enhance the freshness of the salad. It also pairs well with a variety of main dishes due to its light and refreshing nature. It can be served alongside grilled meats like chicken, beef, or fish. It is also excellent with Mediterranean or Middle Eastern dishes such as falafel, gyros, or hummus. Additionally, it complements pasta, risotto, or quinoa dishes.
How long can you keep a tomato and cucumber salad in the fridge?
This tomato and cucumber salad can typically be stored in the fridge for up to 2-3 days. However, it is best enjoyed immediately after preparation as the cucumbers and tomatoes can release water, causing the salad to become soggy over time. To maintain the best quality, keep it in an airtight container, preferably storing vegetables and dressing separately.
Can you make tomato and cucumber salad in advance?
Yes, you can prepare a tomato and cucumber salad in advance, but it is best served immediately. To prevent it from becoming soggy, it is best to add the dressing just before serving. It is best to serve the salad within 24 hours of cutting the vegetables to maintain the best flavour and texture. After cutting them, store them in the fridge in an airtight container, preferably separately. You should also store the dressing separately from the vegetables, then combine everything just before serving.

Ingredients

White cheese cubes
200 g
Cherry tomatoes
300 g
Cucumber
1
Fennel
1
Fresh parsley
50 g
Pine nuts
50 g
Dressing
Lime fruit
1
Olive oil
3 tbsp
Ginger
1 tbsp
Salt
Sugar
Black pepper
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Make an easy salad with tomatoes and cucumber

This bright and zingy tomato and cucumber salad is the perfect light lunch or side dish option. Tomato and cucumber are a tried-and-true pairing that is sure to awaken your palate. Tomatoes bring a robust, juicy sweetness that perfectly contrasts with the crunchy, refreshing taste of cucumbers. The two together form the heart and soul of this salad.

However, the magic truly happens when these vegetables are tossed with a dressing made from lime, olive oil, ginger, salt, sugar, and black pepper. And it does much more than just season the vegetables. The tangy zesty lime provides a lively punch, while the warm hint of ginger adds an exotic twist. Salt, sugar, and black pepper work together to balance the flavours, amplifying the natural sweetness of tomatoes and the clean crispness of cucumbers.

Topped with pine nuts and white cheese

The creamy white cheese and the toasty pine nuts are the unexpected guests that liven up the salad. The white cheese has a subtle tang and creamy texture that adds a delightful contrast. It adds a comforting richness and softens the sharpness of the dressing. The gentle crunch and buttery taste of the pine nuts makes every bite even more exciting. Toasting them amplifies their flavour, adding a touch of nuttiness that rounds out the salad beautifully.

For more vegetable-packed recipes, check out our asparagus quiche with courgette and peas, baked sweet potatoes with red onion, kale, and cheese, or veggie nachos with homemade guacamole.

A different touch from fennel and parsley

While a classic tomato and cucumber salad stands strong on its own, the addition of fennel and parsley can lend a distinct touch that elevates the entire dish. It takes the salad from weekday appropriate to extraordinary, adding a different touch that could make even the simplest salad stand out at any meal. Fennel has a slightly sweet and subtly liquorice-like taste that adds something truly special. The crunchy texture aligns with that of cucumbers, giving the salad an additional layer of satisfying crunch. It also provides a beautiful aesthetic touch with its feathery fronds.

Finally, parsley imparts a fresh, vibrant, and slightly peppery flavour that complements the other ingredients impeccably. But it is more than just a garnish, it adds a verdant, herbaceous note that brightens the salad and makes it feel even fresher and more flavourful.

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