Turkish Shepherd's Salad

Ingredients

• 2 cucumbers, diced (300g) 2 cucumbers, diced (300g)
• 4 tomatoes, diced (500g) 4 tomatoes, diced (500g)
• 1 green bell pepper, diced (150g) 1 green bell pepper, diced (150g)
• 1 red bell pepper, diced (150g) 1 red bell pepper, diced (150g)
• 1 small red onion, finely chopped (100g) 1 small red onion, finely chopped (100g)
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (15g) 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped (15g)
• 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped (15g) 1/4 cup fresh mint, chopped (15g)
• 3 tablespoons olive oil (45ml) 3 tablespoons olive oil (45ml)
• 2 tablespoons lemon juice (30ml) 2 tablespoons lemon juice (30ml)
• 1 teaspoon sumac 1 teaspoon sumac
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste

Nutrition

• Calories: 120 kcal / 502 KJ
• Fat: 8g (Saturated Fat: 1g)
• Carbohydrates: 12g (Sugar: 6g)
• Protein: 2g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 0.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large bowl, combine the diced cucumbers, tomatoes, bell peppers, and red onion.
2. 2.
   Add the chopped parsley and mint to the bowl.
3. 3.
   In a separate small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, sumac, salt, and pepper.
4. 4.
   Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss gently to combine.
5. 5.
   Let the salad sit for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
6. 6.
   Serve chilled and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Cucumbers — Choose firm cucumbers with a vibrant green color. If the cucumbers have large seeds, you can scoop them out before dicing.
• Tomatoes — Opt for ripe and juicy tomatoes for the best flavor. Remove the seeds before dicing to prevent the salad from becoming watery.
• Sumac — Sumac is a tangy spice commonly used in Middle Eastern and Mediterranean cuisines. It adds a unique flavor to the dressing. If you can't find sumac, you can substitute it with a pinch of lemon zest.

Tips & Tricks

• For a spicier kick, add a finely chopped chili pepper to the salad.
• Letting the salad sit for a few minutes before serving allows the flavors to develop and intensify.
• Serve the salad with a side of crusty bread to soak up the delicious dressing.
• Customize the salad by adding other vegetables such as radishes or olives.
• To make it a heartier meal, top the salad with crumbled feta cheese or grilled chicken.

Serving advice

Turkish Shepherd's Salad is best served chilled. It can be enjoyed as a refreshing side dish alongside grilled meats, kebabs, or as a light lunch on its own. Garnish with a sprig of fresh mint for an extra touch of freshness.

Presentation advice

Present the Turkish Shepherd's Salad in a large serving bowl or individual plates. Arrange the colorful vegetables in an appealing manner, and drizzle a little extra dressing on top for an appetizing presentation. Sprinkle some sumac and fresh herbs as a final garnish.