Summer Oriental Salad

Summer Oriental Salad – an explosion of flavors and colors on the plate

Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 20 minutes
Total time: 35 minutes
Number of servings: 4

In the summer heat, a fresh salad becomes an ideal choice, and the Oriental salad is a simple and quick recipe that combines seasonal ingredients into a harmony of tastes. This salad is not only a feast for the eyes but also a rich source of vitamins, perfect as a side dish or a light main course.

Ingredients:
- 4 medium potatoes
- 2 ripe tomatoes
- 1 large cucumber
- 1 bell pepper (red or green, as preferred)
- 4 radishes
- 1 small onion (preferably red for a pop of color)
- 100 g green or black olives (optional)
- 3-4 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
- 1-2 tablespoons balsamic vinegar
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh parsley for garnish

Instructions:

1. Boiling the potatoes: Start by washing the potatoes well, leaving them unpeeled. Place them in a pot with cold water and add a little salt. Boil them over medium heat for about 20 minutes or until they are soft but not falling apart. Check by inserting a fork into one of the potatoes. Once boiled, drain the water and let them cool slightly before peeling and cutting into cubes.

2. Preparing the vegetables: While the potatoes are cooling, wash and prepare the other ingredients. Cut the tomatoes into cubes, the cucumber into slices, the bell pepper into thin strips, the radishes into rounds, and the onion into julienne. Make sure the vegetables are fresh and crunchy to give the salad a pleasant texture.

3. Mixing the ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the diced potatoes with the prepared vegetables. If you choose to add olives, now is the time to include them in the mix. The olives bring a salty flavor and a pleasant contrast to the other ingredients.

4. Dressing the salad: In a small bowl, mix the olive oil with the balsamic vinegar, salt, and pepper to taste. Pour the dressing over the salad and gently toss to avoid crushing the vegetables. Ensure all ingredients are well coated with the dressing.

5. Serving and garnishing: Transfer the salad to a serving platter and garnish with freshly chopped parsley. This not only adds a touch of freshness but also a pleasing visual appeal.

Serving suggestions:
This summer Oriental salad is perfect served cold alongside grilled steak or as an appetizer with warm pita. Additionally, it can be customized with feta cheese or tofu cubes to enhance its nutritional value. If you want to add a crunchy note, you can include nuts or roasted pumpkin seeds.

Possible variations:
To create an even richer salad, you can experiment with other seasonal ingredients such as zucchini or fennel. You can also replace the balsamic vinegar with apple cider vinegar for a fruitier note.

This summer Oriental salad recipe is not only simple and quick but also a healthy choice, ideal for summer meals. Enjoy every bite, savoring a salad full of life and flavor!