Caprese-Style Cucumber Salad
This Caprese-style Cucumber Salad is a refreshing and flavorful summer salad that's perfect for a light lunch or dinner. It's made with thinly sliced cucumbers, fresh basil leaves, halved mozzarella balls, extra virgin olive oil, balsamic vinegar, dried oregano, salt, and pepper. The salad is tossed to coat and then refrigerated for at least 30 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld and the cucumbers to soften slightly. When ready to serve, the salad is topped with fresh cracked black pepper, if desired.
The Caprese salad is a classic Italian dish that is made with fresh tomatoes, mozzarella cheese, and basil. The salad is said to have originated on the island of Capri in the early 1900s. The colors of the salad are said to represent the Italian flag: green for the basil, white for the mozzarella, and red for the tomatoes. The Caprese-style Cucumber Salad is a variation on the classic Caprese salad that uses cucumbers instead of tomatoes. The cucumbers add a refreshing and crunchy element to the salad, and the balsamic vinegar adds a touch of sweetness and acidity. This salad is a great way to enjoy the flavors of summer, and it's also a healthy and easy-to-make dish.
Caprese-Style Cucumber Salad Caprese-Style Cucumber Salad Caprese-Style Cucumber Salad Caprese-Style Cucumber Salad
Prep time: 10 | Cook time: 0 | Serves: 2
Ingredients
  • 1 large cucumber, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 cup fresh basil leaves, chopped
  • 1/2 cup fresh mozzarella balls, drained and halved
  • 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
  • 1 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon dried oregano
  • Salt and pepper to taste
  • Optional: fresh cracked black pepper for garnish
Instructions
  1. In a large bowl, combine the cucumber, basil, mozzarella balls, olive oil, balsamic vinegar, oregano, salt, and pepper.
  2. Toss to coat.
  3. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.
  4. When ready to serve, top with fresh cracked black pepper, if desired.
Why It Works
  • The cucumbers are thinly sliced, which allows them to absorb the flavors of the dressing more easily.
  • The fresh basil leaves add a bright and herbaceous flavor to the salad.
  • The halved mozzarella balls add a creamy and salty element to the salad.
  • The extra virgin olive oil and balsamic vinegar add richness and acidity to the salad.
  • The dried oregano adds a touch of warmth and earthiness to the salad.
  • The salt and pepper enhance the flavors of the other ingredients.