Equipment
Ingredients
Salad Base
- 680 g tomato, seeded and cut into 2.5cm pieces
- 450 g cucumber, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1.25cm cubes
- 200 g onion, cut into 1.25cm cubes
- 225 g mozzarella cheese, cut into 1.25cm by 4cm sticks
- ½ jalapeño, seeded and finely chopped
Herbs and Seasoning
- 30 g basil, shredded
- 3 g chives, chopped
- 3 g parsley, chopped
- salt
- black pepper, freshly ground
Dressing
- 45 ml red wine vinegar
- 120 ml olive oil
Nutrition (per serving)
Nutrition is estimated per serving. Nutrients without complete source data are omitted.
Full nutrition
- Calories
- 336 kcal
- Protein
- 11 g
- Carbohydrates
- 13 g
- Fat
- 28 g
- Fiber
- 3 g
- Sugar
- 6 g
- Sodium
- 389 mg
- Saturated Fat
- 7 g
- Trans Fat
- 0 g
- Monounsaturated Fat
- 17 g
- Polyunsaturated Fat
- 3 g
- Cholesterol
- 24 mg
- Potassium
- 527 mg
- Calcium
- 304 mg
- Iron
- 1.0 mg
- Magnesium
- 40 mg
- Phosphorus
- 265 mg
- Zinc
- 1.8 mg
- Vitamin A
- 154 mcg
- Vitamin C
- 25 mg
- Vitamin D
- 0.1 mcg
- Vitamin E
- 3.9 mg
- Vitamin K
- 65 mcg
- Vitamin B6
- 0.2 mg
- Vitamin B12
- 0.6 mcg
- Thiamin
- 0.10 mg
- Riboflavin
- 0.19 mg
- Niacin
- 0.9 mg
- Folate
- 44 mcg
- Water
- 241 g
Sources: USDA FoodData Central
Method
Halve the tomatoes and remove the seeds. Cut the flesh into 2.5cm (1-inch) pieces.
Place the cubed onions in a sieve and rinse under cold water. Drain them thoroughly.
Combine the tomatoes, cucumbers, onions, mozzarella, basil, chives, parsley, and jalapeño in a large mixing bowl.
Whisk the red wine vinegar and olive oil together in a small bowl until combined.
Pour the dressing over the salad components and toss gently. Season with salt and black pepper to taste.
Chef's Notes
- Rinsing the onions removes the harsh sulfurous compounds, making them milder for a raw application.
Storage
Refrigerator: 48 hours — Best served fresh; vegetables will release moisture over time.
Troubleshooting
Salad is too watery
Cause: Tomatoes were not properly seeded or onions were not drained
Fix: Drain excess liquid from the bottom of the bowl before serving
Prevention: Ensure all tomato seeds are removed and onions are dried after rinsing
Cultural Context
This salad is a vibrant representation of Mediterranean cuisine, drawing inspiration from the fresh, simple ingredients common in countries bordering the Mediterranean Sea. It highlights the use of ripe vegetables, quality olive oil, and fresh herbs, often enjoyed as a light meal or a side dish during warmer months.
