Why I Keep Coming Back to This Salad
So, I was actually craving crunch in a weird way. Not just crunch—something to break through the heat, to clear my head. I grabbed a cucumber, the loud snap as I sliced it, then quickly chopped tomatoes and onion. Their smells—sharp onion, sweet ripe tomato, cool cucumber—hit me more sharply than I’d expected. It’s simple, yes, but I think it’s that freshness that makes it so addictive. No fancy ingredients, no fuss. Just that moment when everything feels right—crisp, tangy, a little spicy from the lemon, and more than anything, honest in its simplicity. I’ve made this so many times, always when I need to reset. Especially now, with summer stretching out, and everything feeling a bit too heavy, this salad is like a quick fresh breath—in a bowl. I might have eaten half before even sitting down.
Simple Cucumber and Tomato Salad
Ingredients
Equipment
Method
- Use a chef's knife and cutting board to thinly slice the red onion, then set aside.1/4 small red onion
- Wash the cucumber thoroughly, then slice it into thin rounds or half-moons using the knife. Transfer to a large mixing bowl.1 large cucumber
- Halve the cherry tomatoes and add them to the bowl with cucumbers and sliced onion.1 cup cherry tomatoes cherry tomatoes
- Cut the lemon in half and extract the juice using a lemon juicer or reamer. Pour the juice over the vegetables in the bowl.1 piece lemon
- Drizzle olive oil over the mixture, then add salt and black pepper to taste. Toss gently to combine, ensuring the dressing evenly coats all ingredients.1 tbsp olive oil, to taste salt, to taste black pepper
- Transfer the finished salad to a serving platter or bowl. Serve immediately to enjoy the crisp, fresh textures.
Sometimes, I wonder if it’s the way the flavors dance—like they’re telling me, ‘Hey, cool it, just a little.’ And I do. Dig in, no guilt. Just a quick, honest refresh. That’s the secret, I guess.
