Refreshing Recipe - Tomato, Cucumber Summer Salad with Cilantro
Refreshing Summer Salad Recipe Comes Alive with Cilantro!
Eating cool and refreshing foods during the dog days of summer can help to beat the heat. Recently, I came up with a simple salad that is cool and fresh. I love the taste of fresh home-grown tomatoes in the summertime. Cucumbers--cool and crisp--also have a better flavor in the summertime. You are in for a treat with this salad, especially if you are growing your own vegetables. If not, visit your local farmer's market, roadside vegetable stand, or beg from those who DO grow their own veggies. Cilantro, with its fragrant aroma and delectable flavor, is one of my favorite spices, and it makes this salad come alive!
I love salads, but it takes a while to put it all together when you include a lot of vegetables or additional items like eggs, bacon bits, croutons, or whatever else you can think of. One of the beauties of this salad is that very few items are included in it, and thus, besides being tasty and refreshing, it is also very quick!
Ingredients:
Romaine lettuce
Fresh cilantro
Chopped cucumber
Chopped tomatoes
Your favorite vinaigrette dressing (i.e. balsamic)
Instructions:
Chop up desired amount of lettuce and cilantro. Add chopped cucumbers (I leave the skins on if they aren’t too tough). If you have fresh garden tomatoes, these are delightful in this salad. If you don’t, buy cherry or grape tomatoes, and half them before adding to salad. I’ve found that grape tomatoes tend to keep their flavor pretty well year-round. Sprinkle on a vinaigrette dressing or try the following recipe I came up with to make your own homemade vinaigrette dressing. Delicious—if I do say so myself!
Rate this recipe!
Optional Salad Toppings
This salad is simple, quick, cold, and tasty. I have added other toppings that are also good on it. If you’re in the mood for a more substantial salad, try adding other ingredients.
Optional ingredients:
Red or green bell pepper
Black olives
Bacon bits
Shredded cheese
Croutons
These are all good additions, but the original recipe I listed is delightful in its simplicity. It’s refreshing and perfect for summertime!
Recipe for Victoria's Homemade Vinaigrette
Another Great Recipe with Cilantro!
- Best Slow Cooker Green Chili with White Accompaniments
This crock pot recipe creates a great green chili that has spice, flavor, but isnt too hot on the palate. I also add several white accompaniments that top it off. If you like spicy Mexican food, you wont be disappointed!
Comments
Thanks! I appreciate your comments. That's helpful. I like personal tidbits in articles, too. Makes it more real. The salad really does "pop" with flavor! And it's so quick to make! I'll look forward to reading some of your hubs as well.
Hi Victoria Lynn,
What a wonderful salad? I must try it this week. It looks fabulous. It is perfect for this heat.
JT
Thanks, JT! I really enjoy it in this heat!
That does look good. I love cilantro, and it's an herb with some awesome medicinal / detoxing effects as well !
:=D
Thanks, Wesman. I love, it, too, and if it has medicinal effects, too--awesome!
You turned out to be a chef now instead of an English writer.
haha. Thanks, SangHue. I've always liked to cook, and I love to create my own recipes, so you'll probably see more of them at some point!
This looks so good! I absolutely LOVE Balsamic vinegar and cilantro...love the bite! I will try this salad and dressing..
Thanks, Lucky Cats! And I'm going to check out your hubs since you are named Lucky Cats! Love cats!
Ah, Lucky Cats, then you will really enjoy this recipe! thanks!
Cilantro! I really should use that more. Lovely Hub!
Thanks, Simone. I appreciate your comment. Cilantro has such a great flavor in so many dishes. And it smells great!
ahhh....look so delicious! I want to bite through my computer. LOL. I'll make some tomorrow! :) Thanks!
Haha! Funny, chanroth! I don't think you'll be disappointed. It's quick and tasty, especially if you like cilantro!
The thing that makes this a good dish is the siplicity of it. Just a few things. Not too much going on that it becomes overwhelming to the taste.
I grow some of my own veggies, much better that way! Cilantro adds a kind of freshness to salads and also to salsa's.
Have you ever tried rice vinegar? It has a nice mild flavor so it goes great with cool summer salads.
I know I'll be enjoying a salad soon. Thanks!
Yes dan-1, that's what I love about it, too. It's simple. I love veggies, but sometimes making a salad with everything--broccoli, cauliflower, etc--cutting and chopping is tedious. When I want a quick, tasty salad, this recipe is so satisfying. I don't think I've had rice vinegar. Do you put it on plain or with oil? I'll have to try it. Enjoyed your comment!
I will have to try out your recipe. It looks delicious! Salads are good for the summertime. I look forward to reading more of your hubs.
Thanks, happypuppy! This salad is so refreshing in hot weather. Thanks for reading. I love your name--happypuppy! I'll have to check out some of your hubs, too!
A lovely, lovely salad and vinaigrette! Thanks for sharing--voted up and bookmarked.
Thanks for stopping by, RTalloni! Hope you enjoy it!
Cilantro is one of my favorites - I like to use it for all kinds of dishes because it really gives foods a very fresh and light taste. Thasks for the recipe!
I feel the same way about cilantro. I even love the smell of it when I walk into a room! Thanks for stopping by!
i like that food
Awesome, ryan! It's a great combination of flavors, trust me! Thanks!
Your salad looks delicious! Thank you! :)
Thanks for reading, LivingFood. Your name intrigues me, as I love food. I may have to check out some of your stuff!
Hi Victoria, romaine lettuce is my favourite, I have never tried Cilantro - am I the only one?!!
I'm getting some tomorrow...
Sounds as though I have been missing out!
Many thanks and best wishes MM
Oh, my gosh, MM, you've got to get some CILANTRO! I first discovered it years ago in salsa. It's great in any kind of Mexican dish. Try it. Hope you love it as much as I do. What a flavor!
AWesome! Adding a sliced/diced purple onion also adds to the intoxicating taste. Thank you for sharing.
Oh, yeah, AA, purple onion is a nice touch. Sounds good!
its very interesting to see this recipe. This is a very common salad recipe in our country and I guess the only salad recipe that is eaten almost daily, specially during lunch. I guess, we being a tropical country has made this recipe so popular. however, we mainly use fresh lime and green chilli instead of vinaigrette dressing. I sometimes mix a couple of tsps of olive oil in the dressing. :) Great writing by the way.
Megh--I think that fresh lime, green chili, and olive oil would be a great dressing. I'm glad you appreciated the recipe and my writing. :-)
will345davis 9 months ago
This looks delicious. I see myself going grocery shopping tomorrow. I must eat this. Your recipe doesn't seem hard to follow. I love how you put the personal tidbits about things you've tried, gives the hub a more personal touch.