Cucumber Apple Pistachio Salad (Printable Version)
Shaved cucumber, apple, and pistachios tossed in a creamy sesame dressing for a refreshing, crunchy bowl.
# Ingredient List:
→ Vegetables & Fruit
01 - 2 large English cucumbers
02 - 2 crisp apples (Granny Smith or Honeycrisp)
03 - 1 small bunch fresh mint leaves
04 - 1 small bunch fresh cilantro leaves
05 - 2 scallions
→ Nuts & Seeds
06 - 1/2 cup shelled pistachios, roughly chopped
07 - 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (white or black)
→ Sesame Dressing
08 - 3 tablespoons tahini (sesame paste)
09 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
10 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce or tamari (gluten-free if needed)
11 - 1 tablespoon honey or maple syrup
12 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
13 - 1 tablespoon water (plus more as needed)
14 - 1/2 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
15 - 1 small garlic clove, finely grated
16 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste
# How to Make It:
01 - Rinse the cucumbers and apples thoroughly. Using a vegetable peeler or mandoline, shave the cucumbers lengthwise into thin ribbons. Core the apples and slice them into thin matchsticks or ribbons.
02 - Place the shaved cucumber and apple in a large mixing bowl. Add the fresh mint leaves, cilantro leaves, and thinly sliced scallions.
03 - In a small bowl, whisk together the tahini, rice vinegar, soy sauce or tamari, honey or maple syrup, toasted sesame oil, water, grated ginger, and grated garlic until smooth and creamy. Adjust the water to reach your desired consistency. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
04 - Drizzle the sesame dressing over the salad and toss gently to coat all the ingredients evenly.
05 - Sprinkle the chopped pistachios and sesame seeds over the top just before serving. Serve immediately for maximum crunch and freshness.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The texture contrast between silky cucumber ribbons and crunchy pistachios will make you close your eyes on the first bite.
- That sesame dressing comes together in about sixty seconds and tastes like something from a restaurant you cannot afford to visit every week.
02 -
- If you dress the salad more than thirty minutes before serving, the cucumber ribbons will weep and pool at the bottom of the bowl.
- Tahini brands vary wildly in thickness, so always have extra water nearby and adjust by the teaspoon until the consistency feels right.
03 -
- Chill your serving bowl in the freezer for ten minutes before assembling, because a cold bowl keeps every ingredient crisper for longer.
- Roll the mint leaves into a tight cylinder before slicing so you get feathery ribbons instead of bruised, uneven pieces.