Crisp Cherry & Cucumber Mozzarella Salad Recipe: Summer Gem

Summer’s vibrant hues dance on your plate with this refreshing cherry, cucumber, and mozzarella salad that bursts with unexpected flavors.

Crisp cucumbers and sweet cherries merge in a delightful culinary symphony.

The creamy mozzarella adds a luxurious texture that complements the fruits’ natural brightness.

Bright, light, and elegant, this salad feels like a cool breeze on a warm afternoon.

Each bite promises a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and creamy notes.

Fresh herbs scattered throughout enhance the salad aromatic profile.

Grab your ingredients and get ready to savor a simple yet sophisticated summer dish that will surprise and delight your taste buds.

How to Build Cherry, Cucumber & Mozzarella Salad

• Cucumber Preparation

Slice cucumber into delicate, graceful ribbons using a mandoline or sharp knife for an elegant touch.

• Cherry Selection

Carefully split cherries in half, gently removing the inner seeds to preserve their beautiful shape.

• Pine Nut Transformation

Carefully toast pine nuts in a dry skillet, watching intently to capture their rich, golden color without burning.

• Vinaigrette Magic

Blend dressing ingredients in a small bowl, creating a harmonious mixture that will elevate the salad’s flavor profile.

• Salad Symphony

Artfully arrange cucumber ribbons as a base, then scatter halved cherries and torn mozzarella pieces across the plate. Sprinkle toasted pine nuts generously and drizzle the vibrant vinaigrette over the composition. Finish with a delicate garnish of fresh mint leaves, adding a whisper of brightness. Season with a gentle touch of salt and pepper to enhance the natural flavors.

Switch It Up: Tips for Cherry, Cucumber, Mozzarella Salad

• Use a mandoline for uniform, paper-thin cucumber ribbons that create an elegant, delicate texture in the salad.
• Remove cherry pits quickly by halving the fruit and gently squeezing or using a cherry pitter for clean, neat results.
• Keep pine nuts moving constantly in the skillet to prevent burning, watching for a golden-brown color that signals perfect toasting.
• Swap pine nuts with toasted almonds or walnuts for a different crunch, or replace mozzarella with creamy burrata for extra richness.
• Prepare vinaigrette and chop ingredients separately, storing them in the refrigerator to assemble the salad just before serving for maximum freshness.

Serve Cherry, Cucumber & Mozzarella Salad with Ease

• Elevate the Plate Presentation: Arrange the salad on a sleek white platter to showcase the vibrant colors of cherries, pale green cucumber ribbons, and creamy mozzarella. Create artistic layers that invite diners to explore each delicious component.
• Pair with Perfect Companions: Serve alongside grilled chicken, seared fish, or as a light lunch with crusty sourdough bread. The refreshing salad complements protein-rich dishes beautifully, adding a burst of summer flavors.
• Wine and Dine Suggestion: Match this delicate salad with a crisp white wine like Sauvignon Blanc or a chilled Pinot Grigio. The wine's brightness will enhance the vinaigrette's tanginess and complement the sweet cherries and nutty pine nuts.
• Quick Meal Transformation: Turn leftovers into a quick wrap by rolling the salad ingredients in a soft tortilla with additional fresh mint leaves. This versatile dish easily transitions from side to main course with minimal effort.

Store Cherry, Cucumber & Mozzarella Salad Right

• Store Smartly: Transfer any leftover salad to an airtight container, keeping the vinaigrette separate to prevent soggy cucumber ribbons.
• Chill Quickly: Refrigerate the salad components within 2 hours of preparation to maintain freshness and food safety.
• Consume Promptly: Enjoy the salad within 1-2 days for the best texture and flavor, as cucumber and cherries lose their crispness over time.
• Prep in Advance: Slice cucumbers, halve cherries, and toast pine nuts up to a day ahead, storing each ingredient separately in the refrigerator to streamline meal preparation.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 2 minutes

Total Time: 22 minutes

Calories: 250 kcal

Servings: 3

What’s in Cherry, Cucumber & Mozzarella Salad

• Cucumber: Crisp veggie creates elegant, wavy ribbons that add textural dimension to the salad with its cool, refreshing profile.
• Cherries: Vibrant summer fruit brings sweet-tart bursts of flavor and beautiful rich color to the dish.
• Fresh Mint: Aromatic herb provides bright, zesty notes and delicate green garnish for a sophisticated finish.

• Mozzarella: Creamy, soft cheese adds luxurious texture and mild milky flavor that complements other ingredients perfectly.
• Pine Nuts: Delicate, buttery nuts introduce rich nutty crunch and golden toasted essence when carefully heated.

• Olive Oil: Smooth, fruity base that binds dressing ingredients and adds silky Mediterranean character.
• Vinegar: Sharp acidic component that balances and brightens the overall salad flavor profile.
• Salt, Pepper: Essential seasoning elements that enhance and elevate the natural tastes of each ingredient.

Tools Needed for Cherry, Cucumber, and Mozzarella Salad

• Mandoline: Essential for creating thin, uniform cucumber ribbons.
• Dry skillet: Perfect for toasting pine nuts quickly and evenly.
• Small bowl: Ideal for mixing vinaigrette ingredients.
• Chef's knife: Needed for halving cherries and removing pits.
• Cutting board: Provides a stable surface for preparing ingredients.
• Serving plates: Used for assembling and presenting the salad.
• Measuring spoons: Helpful for accurate vinaigrette measurements.

Vibrant Cherry, Cucumber, and Mozzarella Salad

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4.6 from 25 reviews

• Total Time: 22 minutes
• Yield: 3 1x

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Description

Summer Delights Cherry, Cucumber, and Mozzarella Salad brings Mediterranean freshness to light meals. Crisp ingredients combine with tangy vinaigrette, offering refreshing flavors you can enjoy on warm afternoons.

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Ingredients

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• 8 ounces (226 grams) fresh mozzarella, cubed
• 1 cucumber, sliced
• 1 cup fresh cherries, pitted
• 2 tbsps olive oil
• 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
• 1 tsp honey
• 1 tsp grainy or strong mustard

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Instructions

1. Cucumber Preparation: Craft translucent ribbons using a mandoline slicer or sharp knife, creating elegant, paper-thin slices with precision.
2. Cherry Processing: Delicately pit ripe cherries, bisecting them to expose their succulent crimson interior.
3. Pine Nut Toasting: Activate a dry skillet at high temperature, continuously stirring pine nuts until they transform into golden, aromatic morsels, releasing their rich, nutty essence.
4. Vinaigrette Creation: Whisk designated ingredients in a mixing bowl until seamlessly emulsified, creating a harmonious flavor foundation.
5. Salad Composition: Layer cucumber ribbons as a pristine base, strategically positioning halved cherries to create a vibrant, artistic pattern across the verdant landscape.
6. Cheese and Nut Distribution: Tear mozzarella into rustic fragments, dispersing them alongside toasted pine nuts, introducing textural intrigue and creamy contrast.
7. Final Embellishment: Cascade vinaigrette over the assembled salad, garnish with torn mint leaves, and season with kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper to elevate the flavor profile.

Notes

• Master Cucumber Technique: Use a mandoline or sharp knife to create paper-thin, uniform cucumber ribbons for an elegant presentation and delicate texture.
• Cherry Precision Matters: Carefully pit and halve cherries to maintain their structural integrity and visual appeal, ensuring clean cuts that showcase their vibrant color.
• Toast Pine Nuts with Care: Watch pine nuts closely during toasting, stirring constantly to prevent burning and achieve a golden-brown color that releases a rich, nutty aroma in under 75 seconds.
• Vinaigrette Balance: Whisk ingredients thoroughly to create a perfectly emulsified dressing that will evenly coat the salad, bringing all flavors into harmonious connection.

• Prep Time: 20 minutes
• Cook Time: 2 minutes
• Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
• Method: Sautéing
• Cuisine: Mediterranean

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 3
• Calories: 250
• Sugar: 8 g
• Sodium: 300 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 5 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 13 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 16 g
• Fiber: 2 g
• Protein: 12 g
• Cholesterol: 30 mg