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Fresh No-Cook Power Outage Summer Salad

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A refreshing, no-cook summer salad perfect for hot days or power outages, featuring crisp vegetables, fresh herbs, and a tangy lemon-honey dressing.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 1 large cucumber, peeled and diced
  • 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 small red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup fresh basil leaves, roughly chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, torn
  • 2 cups baby spinach or mixed greens (optional)
  • 3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 garlic clove, minced
  • Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
  • 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese (optional)
  • 1/4 cup toasted walnuts or almonds (optional)

Instructions

  1. Rinse all fresh produce thoroughly under cold water. Peel the cucumber and dice into 1/2-inch chunks. Halve the cherry tomatoes and dice the red bell pepper similarly. Thinly slice the red onion; soak in cold water for 10 minutes if a milder flavor is desired, then drain.
  2. Roughly chop the basil and tear the mint leaves. If using baby spinach or mixed greens, rinse and pat dry or spin briefly. Add all herbs and greens to a large mixing bowl with the vegetables.
  3. In a small bowl or mason jar, combine olive oil, fresh lemon juice, honey, and minced garlic. Whisk or shake vigorously until emulsified. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
  4. Pour the dressing over the vegetable and herb mixture. Gently toss with a wooden spoon or salad tongs to coat evenly.
  5. If using, sprinkle crumbled feta cheese and toasted nuts on top. Toast nuts in a dry pan over medium heat for 3-5 minutes until fragrant, stirring frequently.
  6. Optionally, let the salad rest for 10 minutes at room temperature to allow flavors to meld. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

Notes

Keep dressing separate if making ahead to maintain crispness. Soak onions in cold water to reduce sharpness. Toast nuts carefully to avoid burning. Adjust salt, pepper, and lemon juice to taste. For dairy-free, omit feta or substitute with avocado slices. Salad can be customized with proteins or seasonal fruits.

Nutrition

Keywords: no-cook salad, summer salad, power outage recipe, fresh vegetables, lemon dressing, easy salad, healthy summer meal

Find it online: https://spoonette.com/fresh-no-cook-power-outage-summer-salad-easy-recipe-for-hot-days/