Refreshing Cold Salad Recipe: Zesty Summer Crunch (Print Version)

Refreshing Cold Salad Recipe: My secret for a vibrant, crunchy summer. Fresh veggies & zesty dressing make it your go-to warm weather meal.

# Recipe Info:

Prep Time: 20 Minutes minutes
Cook Time: 0 Minutes minutes
Total Time: 20 minutes
Servings: 4 Servings
Difficulty: Beginner
Cuisine: Mediterranean-Inspired
Dietary: Vegetarian, Gluten-Free

# Ingredients:

→ Crisp Veggie Base

01 - 1 large English cucumber, diced
02 - 2 bell peppers (any color), diced
03 - 1 pint cherry tomatoes, halved
04 - 1 medium zucchini, finely diced or shredded

→ Flavorful Add-ins

05 - 1/2 small red onion, finely diced
06 - 4 oz feta cheese, crumbled
07 - 1/2 cup Kalamata olives, pitted and halved

→ Zesty Lemon-Herb Dressing

08 - 1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil
09 - 3 tbsp fresh lemon juice
10 - 2 tbsp fresh dill, chopped
11 - 2 tbsp fresh parsley, chopped
12 - 1-2 cloves garlic, minced
13 - 1/2 tsp salt (or to taste)
14 - 1/4 tsp black pepper (or to taste)

# Instructions:

01 - First things first, let's get those veggies ready. Wash your cucumber, bell peppers, zucchini, and cherry tomatoes. Dice the cucumber and bell peppers into bite-sized pieces – I aim for about half-inch cubes, but honestly, sometimes they're a bit bigger, and that's okay! Halve those cherry tomatoes, and finely dice your zucchini. Remember my red onion disaster? Finely dice that red onion and pop it into a small bowl of ice water while you do the rest. This little trick mellows its bite beautifully. I just love the colors starting to come together on my cutting board; it's like a little edible rainbow!
02 - Now for the magic-maker! In a small bowl or a jar with a tight lid, combine your good quality extra virgin olive oil, fresh lemon juice, minced garlic, finely chopped fresh dill, and fresh parsley. Add a good pinch of salt and a generous grind of black pepper. Whisk it all together until it's beautifully emulsified. If you're using a jar, just shake it like you're trying to wake it up! Taste it. Does it need more lemon? More salt? This is your chance to make it just right. I always add a tiny bit more lemon than I think I need; it makes the whole Refreshing Cold Salad Recipe sing!
03 - Grab a large, lovely mixing bowl. Drain your red onion from the ice water really well – no one wants watery dressing! Add the diced cucumber, bell peppers, zucchini, and halved cherry tomatoes to the bowl. Toss them gently to combine. You'll see all those vibrant colors mingling, and honestly, it just looks so fresh and inviting. This is where I sometimes get impatient and want to eat it already! But resist, my friend, resist.
04 - Now, let's bring in the big flavors! Crumble your feta cheese over the veggies. Add your pitted Kalamata olives. Give everything another gentle toss. Be careful not to mash the feta too much; we want those lovely distinct crumbles. I remember one time I got a bit overzealous with the tossing and ended up with feta mush. Not the worst thing, but not what we're going for in this Refreshing Cold Salad Recipe!
05 - Pour that glorious lemon-herb dressing all over your beautiful salad. Now, gently, lovingly, toss everything together. Make sure every single piece of veggie and feta gets coated in that zesty goodness. You'll start to smell the dill and lemon mingling, and that's when you know you're almost there. Don't be afraid to get your hands in there if you need to, but a good pair of tongs usually does the trick for me.
06 - This is the hardest part for me – waiting! For the best flavor, cover the bowl and pop it into the fridge for at least 30 minutes. An hour is even better, honestly. This chilling time allows all those amazing flavors to meld together and for the salad to get properly cold and refreshing. When it's time to serve, give it one last gentle stir and perhaps a sprinkle of extra fresh dill or parsley if you're feeling fancy. It should look bright, smell incredible, and taste like pure summer bliss.

# Notes:

01 - Always soak your diced red onion in ice water for 10-15 minutes to take away that harsh bite; it's a game-changer!
02 - Fresh herbs are absolutely non-negotiable for this Refreshing Cold Salad Recipe; dried just won't give you the same vibrant flavor.
03 - Letting the salad chill for at least 30 minutes allows the flavors to truly marry, making it taste so much better.
04 - For an extra layer of flavor, toast a handful of pine nuts or slivered almonds and sprinkle them over the top just before serving.

# Equipment Needed:

01 - Large mixing bowl
02 - small bowl or jar for dressing
03 - whisk
04 - cutting board
05 - sharp knife
06 - measuring cups and spoons

# Nutrition (Per Serving):

Calories: 280 kcal
Total Fat: 22g
Total Carbohydrate: 16g
Protein: 7g

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