Smashed Cucumber Salad – A Light, Fresh, and Flavorful Dish

This Smashed Cucumber Salad is a refreshing and satisfying dish that’s as simple as it is delicious. The key to its flavor lies in the technique of smashing the cucumbers, which allows them to soak up the tangy Dijon dressing. The creamy avocado and crumbled feta add richness, while fresh herbs like dill and chives bring a burst of freshness. With a crunchy pistachio topping, this salad is a perfect balance of textures and flavors. It's quick to make and can be enjoyed as a side dish or a light main course. For substitutions, you can leave out the feta for a dairy-free option or swap pistachios for almonds or walnuts for different crunch.

Ingredients:

For the Salad:

• 4 Persian cucumbers (or 1 English cucumber)
  
  

• 1 medium ripe avocado
  
  

• 1/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
  
  

• 1/4 cup chopped pistachios
  
  

• 1/4 cup chopped fresh dill
  
  

• 1/4 cup chopped fresh chives
  
  

For the Dressing:

• 2–3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil
  
  

• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  
  

• 1 tablespoon Dijon mustard
  
  

• 2 teaspoons honey
  
  

• 2 cloves garlic, peeled and minced
  
  

• Salt and pepper, to taste
  
  

Directions:

1. Wash and dry the cucumbers well. Cut each cucumber in half, and using the flat side of your knife or a meat mallet, gently smash each half. Chop them into 1-inch pieces and place them into a medium-sized bowl.
   
   

2. Peel and chop the avocado, then add it to the bowl with the cucumbers.
   
   

3. Add the feta cheese, pistachios, dill, and chives to the bowl with the cucumbers and avocado.
   
   

4. In a separate small bowl or glass jar, whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, garlic, salt, and pepper until well combined.
   
   

5. Pour the dressing over the salad ingredients and toss gently to combine.
   
   

6. Garnish with extra fresh herbs if desired and serve immediately.
   
   

Nutritional Value (per serving):

• Calories: 230 kcal
  
  

• Carbohydrates: 15g
  
  

• Protein: 6g
  
  

• Fat: 18g
  
  

• Saturated Fat: 3g
  
  

• Cholesterol: 10mg
  
  

• Sodium: 150mg
  
  

• Potassium: 500mg
  
  

• Fiber: 6g
  
  

• Sugar: 7g