Welcome to a refreshing culinary delight: Zesty Cucumber & Mint Salad. This vibrant dish combines crisp cucumbers, aromatic mint, and tangy feta, offering a perfect balance of flavors and textures. It's a simple, refreshing choice for warm days or as a bright counterpoint to savory main dishes.
Cucumbers are the star of this salad, providing a crisp texture and a subtle, refreshing flavor. They act as the perfect base, soaking up the dressing beautifully. Mint leaves add a burst of freshness and a hint of sweetness that perfectly balances the cucumbers. The red onion gives a slight sharpness and crunch, enhancing the salad's complexity. Feta cheese, with its creamy and tangy profile, adds a rich contrast to the crisp vegetables. The olive oil is your base for the dressing, offering a smooth, fruity richness. Lemon juice and lemon zest bring a zesty brightness that ties the whole dish together. Finally, salt and black pepper are essential for seasoning, enhancing all the flavors.
This salad shines alongside grilled chicken or fish, adding a refreshing note to any protein-heavy meal. It's also delightful served with a slice of crusty bread or as part of a mezze spread. Consider pairing it with a chilled white wine or a light, citrusy cocktail to enhance its fresh flavors.
Start by gathering your ingredients and prepping them for action. Take your three medium cucumbers, give them a good rinse, and slice them thinly. You want them to be about the thickness of a coin – this ensures they absorb the dressing nicely. Place these slices into a large bowl. Next, chop up a quarter cup of fresh mint leaves. The aroma alone is worth a pause. Add these to the cucumbers, followed by a quarter cup of thinly sliced red onion. The onions should be almost paper-thin, so they meld into the salad without overpowering it.
Now, let’s make the dressing. In a small bowl, whisk together one tablespoon of olive oil, one tablespoon of fresh lemon juice, and a teaspoon of lemon zest. Add a pinch of salt and a few cracks of black pepper to taste. Mix until it looks well combined and has a slight emulsion.
Pour this zesty dressing over your cucumber mixture. Gently toss everything together, ensuring every slice is nicely coated without bruising the cucumbers or mint. The key here is a gentle hand. Once tossed, crumble a quarter cup of feta cheese over the top and fold it in carefully. You want little pockets of feta throughout the salad.
Your salad is ready to serve, but if you can spare a little patience, refrigerate it for up to 30 minutes. This brief chill helps the flavors meld, creating a more harmonious dish.
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