Croatian Inspired Summer Salad

Ingredients

• 2 large cucumbers, thinly sliced (500g) 2 large cucumbers, thinly sliced (500g)
• 4 ripe tomatoes, diced (600g) 4 ripe tomatoes, diced (600g)
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced (150g) 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced (150g)
• 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced (150g) 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced (150g)
• 1 red onion, thinly sliced (100g) 1 red onion, thinly sliced (100g)
• 1/4 cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil 1/4 cup (60ml) extra virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons (30ml) red wine vinegar 2 tablespoons (30ml) red wine vinegar
• 2 cloves of garlic, minced 2 cloves of garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon honey 1 teaspoon honey
• Salt and pepper to taste Salt and pepper to taste
• Fresh parsley, for garnish Fresh parsley, for garnish

Nutrition

• Calories: 180 kcal / 753 KJ
• Fat: 14g (Saturated Fat: 2g)
• Carbohydrates: 14g (Sugar: 8g)
• Protein: 2g
• Fiber: 3g
• Salt: 0.5g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large bowl, combine the sliced cucumbers, diced tomatoes, sliced red and yellow bell peppers, and sliced red onion.
2. 2.
   In a separate small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, red wine vinegar, minced garlic, honey, salt, and pepper.
3. 3.
   Pour the dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all the ingredients.
4. 4.
   Cover the bowl and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
5. 5.
   Before serving, garnish with fresh parsley for an added burst of freshness.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Cucumbers — For a crisp texture, choose firm cucumbers and slice them thinly. If the cucumbers are too watery, you can sprinkle them with a little salt and let them sit for a few minutes before rinsing and adding to the salad.
• Tomatoes — Use ripe and juicy tomatoes for the best flavor. If you prefer, you can remove the seeds before dicing to reduce the moisture content.
• Red onion — To mellow the sharpness of the red onion, you can soak the sliced onion in cold water for 10 minutes before adding it to the salad.

Tips & Tricks

• For an extra burst of flavor, you can add some crumbled feta cheese or olives to the salad.
• Feel free to customize the salad by adding other vegetables such as radishes or celery.
• To make it a heartier meal, you can serve the salad with grilled chicken or shrimp on top.
• Adjust the amount of honey in the dressing according to your preference for sweetness.
• Make sure to chill the salad for at least 30 minutes before serving to allow the flavors to develop.

Serving advice

Serve the Croatian-inspired summer salad chilled as a refreshing side dish or light lunch option. It pairs well with grilled meats, seafood, or as a topping for crusty bread.

Presentation advice

To enhance the presentation, arrange the salad on a large platter and garnish with additional fresh herbs such as basil or mint. The vibrant colors of the salad will make it an eye-catching centerpiece for any summer gathering.