Cucumber Tomato Salad with Sweet and Sour Dressing
A Refreshing Cucumber Tomato Salad to Stimulate Your Appetite on Summer Days
Beat the summer heat and lack of appetite with this zesty and sweet cucumber tomato salad! It’s a healthy and delicious way to boost your mood and well-being. ^^
Main Ingredients- 300g cherry tomatoes
- 1/2 cucumber
- 1/2 onion
Sweet and Sour Dressing- 3 Tbsp vinegar
- 1 Tbsp plum extract (or syrup)
- 1.5 Tbsp sugar (adjust to taste)
- 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp water
- 3 Tbsp vinegar
- 1 Tbsp plum extract (or syrup)
- 1.5 Tbsp sugar (adjust to taste)
- 0.5 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp water
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Wash the cucumber thoroughly. You can peel it or leave the skin on for extra crunch. Dice the cucumber into bite-sized cubes, about 1.5cm. Leaving the skin on adds a delightful crisp texture.
Step 2
Place the diced cucumber in a bowl and sprinkle about 0.5 Tbsp of coarse salt (or regular salt) over it. Let it sit for 10 minutes. This process draws out excess water and removes any bitterness, ensuring a crispier salad. After salting, rinse the cucumber briefly under cold water and squeeze out any remaining moisture very well.
Step 3
While the cucumber is salting, prepare the cherry tomatoes. Bring a pot of water to a boil. Gently place the cherry tomatoes into the boiling water for about 20-30 seconds, just to blanch them. Be careful not to overcook, as they can become mushy. Blanching softens the skins, making them easier to eat, and it’s also said to enhance the absorption of lycopene, a beneficial nutrient. After blanching, rinse them under cold water, drain, and cut any larger tomatoes in half.
Step 4
Dice the onion into similarly bite-sized pieces, about 1.5cm, matching the cucumber. If you prefer a milder onion flavor, you can soak the diced onion in cold water for about 5 minutes before using.
Step 5
Now, let’s make the delicious dressing! In a mixing bowl, add 3 tablespoons of vinegar.
Step 6
Next, add 1 tablespoon of plum extract (or syrup) for a touch of sweetness and fruity depth. If you don’t have plum extract, you can substitute with an equivalent amount of sugar.
Step 7
For a savory boost, add 0.5 tablespoon of minced garlic. If you’re sensitive to strong garlic flavors, feel free to reduce the amount.
Step 8
Balancing the sweetness is key! Add 1.5 tablespoons of sugar. The interplay between the sour and sweet notes is crucial, so taste and adjust to your preference. If you prefer it less sweet, 1 tablespoon of sugar is also a good option. ^^
Step 9
Add 1 tablespoon of water to slightly loosen the dressing and help meld the flavors.
Step 10
Whisk all the dressing ingredients together until well combined. (A pinch of sesame seeds can be added here for extra flavor.) Now, add the blanched cherry tomatoes, diced onion, and the squeezed cucumber to the bowl with the dressing.
Step 11
Pour the prepared dressing over the ingredients. Gently toss everything together, being careful not to overmix, ensuring that all the components are evenly coated with the dressing. The goal is to combine the flavors without bruising the fresh ingredients.
Step 12
There you have it – a vibrant and refreshing Cucumber Tomato Salad with a delightful sweet and sour kick, perfect for awakening your appetite! It’s delicious served immediately, or you can chill it in the refrigerator for an even cooler treat. Enjoy this summer delight!
