Description

This Fresh Cucumber Caprese Salad is a light, vibrant dish perfect for warm days or as a refreshing appetizer. Featuring thinly sliced cucumbers, sweet cherry tomatoes, creamy fresh mozzarella, and aromatic basil, all brought together with a drizzle of extra-virgin olive oil and balsamic glaze, it offers a delightful balance of flavors and textures in every bite.

Ingredients

Scale

Salad Ingredients

2 medium cucumbers, peeled and thinly sliced
1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
8 ounces fresh mozzarella balls (bocconcini), halved
1 small red onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, torn

Dressing and Seasoning

2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
1 tablespoon balsamic glaze
Salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste

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Instructions

Prepare Cucumbers: Peel the cucumbers and cut them into thin slices. Place these slices into a large salad bowl to form the base of your salad.
Add Cherry Tomatoes: Halve the cherry tomatoes and add them to the cucumbers in the bowl, enhancing the salad with bright color and juicy sweetness.
Incorporate Mozzarella: Cut the fresh mozzarella balls in half and gently combine them with the tomatoes and cucumbers, adding a creamy texture to the salad.
Add Red Onion: Thinly slice the red onion and add it to the salad bowl for a mild, tangy bite that contrasts beautifully with the other ingredients.
Add Fresh Basil: Tear fresh basil leaves and sprinkle them evenly over the salad ingredients to impart a fragrant herbal note.
Drizzle Olive Oil: Pour the extra-virgin olive oil over the assembled ingredients, adding richness and helping to meld the flavors.
Add Balsamic Glaze: Drizzle the balsamic glaze over the salad to introduce a hint of sweetness and tangy depth.
Season: Season the salad with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste, balancing all the tastes.
Toss Salad: Gently toss all the ingredients together to ensure even coating of the dressing and harmonious blending of flavors.
Serve: Serve the salad immediately to enjoy its fresh, crisp, and vibrant qualities at their best.

Notes

This salad is best served fresh but can be refrigerated for up to a day.
For added texture, consider sprinkling toasted pine nuts or walnuts.
Use high-quality extra-virgin olive oil and fresh mozzarella for the best flavor.
To make it vegan, substitute mozzarella with vegan cheese or tofu and omit the cheese entirely if preferred.
The balsamic glaze adds sweetness and acidity; if you don’t have it, use a balsamic reduction or a splash of balsamic vinegar mixed with a little honey or sugar.