Name: Fresh Cucumber Caprese Salad
Prep time: 15 min
Total time: 15 min
Ingredients: 2 tablespoons olive oil; 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar; 1 tablespoon dried oregano; 1 tablespoon dried basil; Pinch salt; Pinch pepper; 1 cucumber, peeled, fork-scored, and thinly sliced, then diced; 1½ cups cherry tomatoes, cut into quarters; 8 oz fresh mozzarella; ½ large red onion, chopped into small pieces

Fresh Cucumber Caprese Salad

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This Easy Cucumber Caprese Salad is a vibrant, no-cook dish that delivers the classic flavors of Italy in under 15 minutes. I’ve found that swapping traditional basil leaves for a robust dried herb vinaigrette creates a more cohesive and flavorful coating for the fresh ingredients.

Author: Claire Monroe
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 0 minutes
Total Time: 15 minutes

Ingredients

Scale

2 tablespoons olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
1 tablespoon dried oregano
1 tablespoon dried basil
Pinch salt
Pinch pepper
1 cucumber, peeled, fork-scored, and thinly sliced, then diced
1½ cups cherry tomatoes, cut into quarters
8 oz fresh mozzarella
½ large red onion, chopped into small pieces

Instructions

Make the Herb Vinaigrette: In a small bowl or jar, vigorously whisk together the olive oil and balsamic vinegar until emulsified. Add the dried oregano, dried basil, salt, and pepper. Whisk again to combine. (Pro tip: Letting this sit for 5 minutes allows the dried herbs to rehydrate slightly, deepening their flavor in the dressing).
Prepare the Cucumber: Peel the cucumber, then run the tines of a fork down its length to create shallow grooves before slicing. This technique, known as scoring, gives the diced pieces more texture and helps them hold onto the vinaigrette. Thinly slice the cucumber, then dice it into bite-sized pieces.
Cut the Tomatoes and Cheese: Wash the cherry tomatoes and cut each one into quarters. For the mozzarella, you can either cube it neatly or tear it into rustic pieces with your hands. In my tests, tearing creates craggy edges that absorb the dressing more effectively than uniform cubes.
Chop the Red Onion: Take half a large red onion and chop it into small, uniform pieces. If you prefer a milder onion flavor, you can soak the chopped pieces in cold water for 10 minutes and then drain them thoroughly—this removes some of the sharp, pungent compounds.
Combine All Ingredients: Place the diced cucumber, quartered tomatoes, mozzarella, and chopped red onion into a large mixing bowl. Unlike a layered salad, this method of combining everything ensures every bite gets an even distribution of flavors.
Dress and Toss the Salad: Pour the prepared herb vinaigrette over the ingredients in the bowl. Using a large spoon or spatula, gently toss everything together until the vegetables and cheese are evenly coated. Be careful not to over-mix and break down the soft mozzarella.
Rest and Serve: Let the finished Easy Cucumber Caprese Salad sit for at least 5-10 minutes before serving. This brief rest period allows the flavors to marry. For the best texture and taste, serve the salad within 2 hours of assembling.

Find it online: https://thecookingjournal.com/easy-cucumber-caprese-salad/