Description
Cucumber Bell Pepper Salad brings Mediterranean freshness to summer tables. Mediterranean ingredients combine in this quick, zesty side dish perfect for light lunches and picnics you’ll want to enjoy repeatedly.
Ingredients
Scale
- 1 English cucumber (or 2 Persian cucumbers), sliced
- 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 1 yellow bell pepper, thinly sliced
- 0.25 red onion, thinly sliced (optional)
- 2 tbsps (29.6 ml) soy sauce (or coconut aminos for gluten-free)
- 1 tbsp (14.8 ml) rice vinegar
- 1 tsp (5 ml) honey (or maple syrup for vegan option)
- 0.5 tsp (2.5 ml) garlic powder
- 0.5 tsp (2.5 ml) red pepper flakes (adjust for spice)
- 1 tsp (5 ml) sriracha (optional for extra heat)
- 1 tsp (5 ml) sesame oil
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
- 0.5 tsp everything bagel seasoning (or sesame seeds & sea salt mix)
Instructions
- Vegetable Preparation: Slice cucumbers and bell peppers into uniform thin rounds or elegant strips, creating a visually appealing and texturally balanced foundation for the salad.
- Dressing Creation: Whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, garlic powder, red pepper flakes, everything bagel seasoning, sriracha, and sesame oil in a mixing bowl, blending ingredients into a complex, vibrant marinade that will elevate the vegetable medley.
- Salad Assembly: Combine finely minced red onion with the sliced vegetables in a spacious mixing vessel, ensuring ample room for thorough coating and flavor integration.
- Marination Process: Gently pour the crafted dressing over the vegetable ensemble, using circular motions to guarantee each ingredient is thoroughly and evenly coated with the dynamic flavor profile.
- Finishing Touches: Generously scatter toasted sesame seeds across the salad, introducing a delightful crunch and nutty dimension. Allow the salad to rest for 5-10 minutes, enabling the vegetables to absorb the intricate flavor notes and develop a more profound taste experience.
- Serving Recommendation: Present the salad chilled or at room temperature, showcasing a refreshing and tantalizing culinary creation that balances multiple sensory elements.
Notes
- Slice Precisely: Use a sharp knife or mandoline for uniform, thin vegetable cuts to ensure even flavor absorption and elegant presentation.
- Balance Dressing Intensity: Adjust spice levels by gradually adding red pepper flakes and sriracha, tasting as you go to match personal heat preferences.
- Marinating Magic: Let the salad rest longer (up to 30 minutes) for deeper flavor infusion, but avoid exceeding 1 hour to prevent vegetable softening.
- Customize Creatively: Swap ingredients for dietary needs – use tamari for gluten-free, agave for vegan honey, or add protein like tofu for a more substantial dish.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: American
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 5
- Calories: 46
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 420mg
- Fat: 2g
- Saturated Fat: 0g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 8g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 1g
- Cholesterol: 0mg