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.
Ingredients
Scale
- 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
Instructions
- Cucumber Preparation: Craft translucent ribbons using a mandoline slicer or sharp knife, creating elegant, paper-thin slices with precision.
- Cherry Processing: Delicately pit ripe cherries, bisecting them to expose their succulent crimson interior.
- 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.
- Vinaigrette Creation: Whisk designated ingredients in a mixing bowl until seamlessly emulsified, creating a harmonious flavor foundation.
- Salad Composition: Layer cucumber ribbons as a pristine base, strategically positioning halved cherries to create a vibrant, artistic pattern across the verdant landscape.
- Cheese and Nut Distribution: Tear mozzarella into rustic fragments, dispersing them alongside toasted pine nuts, introducing textural intrigue and creamy contrast.
- 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