Tomato cucumber salad with fresh herbs is a variation of the popular Salad Shirazi. This refreshing, low calorie, crisp and flavorful salad is a total winner!
Salad Shirazi is a popular Persian salad and ideal for summertime. The typical ingredients are tomatoes, cucumbers and onions. But there are several variations of it with additional ingredients.
An important thing while preparing salads is to choose fresh and crisp vegetables in the peak of season. Optimizing the flavor, texture and appearance of the ingredients makes all the difference to the final taste.
When I visited Istanbul, I had these seriously amazing fresh salads. I often wondered why the salads tasted so out of the world! It was nothing but the absolute best organic fresh ingredients. For this salad I chose the best and it has such a delicious crunchy bite to it.
Photo Credit: Bijan of www.bijansviewfinder.com
Tomatoes and cucumbers are fairly common fresh salad ingredients. The radish and red onion add a certain pungency to the salad. Then it all gets wrapped in the intense flavors of a mixture of herbs. And then rendered lemony with a faint note of garlic in the dressing. I have discussed about tomatoes in my post about Kofta Kebab Masala.
Cucumbers are ubiquitous. They are in salad, vegetable juices, sandwiches and even served as a street snack with a sprinkle of seasoning. The cool cucumbers have some good nutrition to offer. They have more than 90% water, and therefore are good for hydration. As a rich source of vitamin K, cucumbers can support bone health.
They are rich in phytonutrients known as cucurbitacins. These nutrients have been studied extensively in cancer research and touted as a promising approach for therapy. And have also been shown to have anti diabetic and anti inflammatory effects. Cucumbers are listed in the Environmental working group’s dirty dozen. That list includes produce with high levels of pesticide residue. So, buy organic when you can.
Photo Credit: Bijan of www.bijansviewfinder.com
I hope that I have inspired you enough to make this tasty, crisp, colorful and nourishing salad!
TOMATO CUCUMBER SALAD WITH FRESH HERBS
thedeliciouscrescent.com
NUTRITION FACTS
Servings: 7 Serving Size: 1 cup
Calories 81, Total Fat 6 g (Saturated Fat 1 g, Polyunsaturated Fat 1 g, Monounsaturated Fat 4 g), Cholesterol 0 mg, Sodium 176 mg, Potassium 318 mg, Phosphorus 38 mg, Total Carbohydrate 6 g, Dietary Fiber 2 g, Sugars 4 g, Protein 1 g
Preparation Time: 20 minutes
Cooking Time: 0 minutes
INGREDIENTS
3 cups cut grape tomatoes (in halves or quarters)
2 ½ cups diced English hothouse cucumbers
1/3 cup sliced red globe radishes
1/4 cup chopped red onions
1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/4 cup chopped green onions/scallions
1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
1/4 chopped fresh mint
3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
1 clove garlic, grated
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/4 teaspoon black pepper (optional)
DIRECTIONS
Place the first eight ingredients (until fresh mint) in a large salad bowl.
Whisk together the remaining ingredients to prepare the salad dressing.
Drizzle it all over the vegetables.
Toss well and serve the Tomato Cucumber Salad with Fresh Herbs.
Photo Credit: Bijan of www.bijansviewfinder.com
1 cup salad
Tomato cucumber salad with fresh herbs is a variation of the popular Salad Shirazi. This refreshing, low calorie, crisp and flavorful salad is a total winner!
20 minPREP TIME
20 minTOTAL TIME
Save RecipeINGREDIENTS
- 3 cups cut grape tomatoes (in halves or quarters)
- 2 1/2 cups diced English hothouse cucumbers
- 1/3 cup sliced red globe radishes
- 1/4 cup chopped red onions
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
- 1/4 cup chopped green onions/scallions
- 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro
- 1/4 chopped fresh mint
- 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
- 1 clove garlic, grated
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper (optional)
INSTRUCTIONS
- Place the first eight ingredients (until fresh mint) in a large salad bowl.
- Whisk together the remaining ingredients to prepare the salad dressing.
- Drizzle it all over the vegetables.
- Toss well and serve the Tomato Cucumber Salad with Fresh Herbs.
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