Friday, March 7, 2008

Cucumber, Tomato, Onion Salaad (Chopped Vegetable Salad With Tomatoes And Cucumber)

Chopped Salad With Yellow Bell Pepper, Cucumber, Tomatoes, Radishes, Red Onion, & Cilantro
Salaad or Chopped Salad is 'the' dish to accompany a pulav (a rice dish). We loved it so much that no matter how much Salaad Amma made, it was never enough! It is typical of Indian salads in general to use fresh lime or lemon juice and little or no oil as in this salad - Very healthy! Save the oil for another dish. 

The recipe below is just to give you an idea; the amounts of the veggies can be varied according to your preference. Other veggies such as radishes, bell pepper, etc may be added.

Ingredients:

2 Large Ripe Tomatoes
1/2 small Red Onion
1 bunch Cilantro
4 Persian OR 1 Japanese/English Cucumbers
1 medium Lime
1 (or more) Serrano or Jalapeno Chili (Optional)
Sea Salt to taste

Method:

Peel the onion and chop finely. Place them in a bowl and sprinkle with a pinch of salt. Cut the chilies in half lengthwise and remove the membranes and seeds with a small spoon. Stack the chili halves and slice thinly; add to the bowl. Cut the lime in half and squeeze the juice over the onion and chilies; discard the rinds.

Wash and dry all the veggies. If you use any of the above mentioned cucumbers, peeling is not necessary as the skin is tender and they are never waxed; however, if the cucumbers are waxed, do peel and then proceed as follows.

Cut the cucumbers into quarters lengthwise, then slice thinly. Chop the tomatoes into small even pieces, about the size of the cucumber slices. Sort the cilantro to remove any weeds, or yellow leaves; cut off the root ends of stems but do include most of the stems. Stack them neatly and slice finely.

Mix all the chopped veggies together with the marinated onions. Allow them to marinate for a few more minutes before serving. Chill if made ahead. I prefer not to chill because cold numbs the tomatoes and they lose their flavor. But if you have to chill this salad, do allow them to come to room temperature before serving. Or prepare all the other veggies except the tomatoes; add them just before serving.

Serve with Vegetable Pulav, other rice dishes, or any curries, dals, etc.

Enjoy!!

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