Thursday, January 19, 2012

Meyer Lemon, Radish, Cucumber and Tomato Salad with Citrusy Dressing


It’s another snowy day in Seattle! A new blanket of snow brought a peaceful, quiet hush this morning. Now the air is filled with the sounds of kids sledding and building handsome snowmen, snow being shoveled, and neighbors walking their dogs or cross-country skiing down the street. The schools are closed again, so snow football, cookie baking and a crackling fire are on our agenda. No complaints in our house (except perhaps from the chickens – they haven’t left their coop!). It’s a happy time.


I tromped through the snowy neighborhood to our local grocery store and wandered the produce section. Citrus called out to me and I found I was craving something light. Don’t get me wrong – nothing pleases me more than a warm, comforting winter stew. Something bright and tangy, though, was deeply appealing.


I selected vibrant Meyer lemons and a couple of limes, not knowing what I had in mind, only that I need a little hiatus from long simmering dishes. Some crisp cucumbers and radishes, fresh mint and colorful grape tomatoes found their way into my basket, too.


Once home, I began zesting the lemons and limes, inhaling their citrusy scent. I juiced some of the fruit and combined it with the zest, garlic and olive oil to create a jazzy dressing for the veggies.


I find the sour pucker of Meyer lemons to be refreshing, almost like grapefruit but with a lemony punch, so I decided to include segments in my salad along with the diced cucumbers, chopped mint, sliced radishes and grape tomatoes.


I sighed deeply when I took my first bite. The fresh flavors and crunchy textures danced in my mouth and satisfied my craving for crisp, bright tastes pefectly.

Meyer Lemon, Radish, Cucumber and Tomato Salad with Citrusy Dressing
Serves 4

20 ounces grape tomatoes, sliced in half
1/2 large English cucumber, diced
1 bunch of radishes, sliced
1/2 cup fresh mint, roughly chopped
3 Meyer lemons
1 lime
1 clove garlic
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
1/4 cup olive oil

Combine the tomatoes, cucumber, radishes and mint in a large serving bowl.

Zest one lemon and one lime and put zest into a glass jar for mixing. Juice one lemon and half a lime and add the juice to the jar. With a mortar and pestle, crush the garlic clove with the salt until smooth. Add the garlic mixture and olive oil to the jar. Cover and shake until well combined.

Slice the peel and pith off of the two remaining Meyer lemons. Cut the lemons into segments and remove seeds. Add to the veggie mix in the serving bowl.

When ready to serve, toss the dressing with the salad and taste for salt.

16 comments:

  1. This does look like a refreshing break from heavier winter foods. And it's such an interesting mix of summer and winter flavors, too. I'd like to make this when I have my own radishes, mint, and tomatoes growing this summer, but I may not wait that long!

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    1. Thank you, Rowdy Chowgirl! Fresh veggies and mint from your garden would be the best, that's for sure! I can't wait for summer gardening.

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  2. Hannah, this salad looks divine! It's such a great break from the heavy, hearty dishes so typical of the season. Yum!

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    1. Thank you so much, Brianne! Sometimes a little balance and lightening up is needed - this hit the spot.

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  3. This looks so refreshing, Hannah! I love the combination of citrus and tomatoes - so this dressing looks just perfect! I'm craving all these salads now.

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    1. Thank you, Susan! Eating this salad helped me think of warmer times since we are still snowed in. Loving the snow, though!

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  4. This looks wonderful! But I'm definitely saving it for summer. This no power/no heat thing has got me hankering for baked goods... =)

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    1. Oh no, Brooke...are you still without power? I hope you are keeping warm with a fire. I totally understand craving baked goods and hot food!

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  5. What a lovely salad recipe Hannah!So many textures mixed together here, which reminds me, that I haven't bought radishes in a long time.Good reminder :)

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  6. mmmmm mouth watering! I'm using a lot of blood oranges at the moment in salads!

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    1. Thank you, Lisa! The citrus is wonderful right now - I'll have to try some blood oranges in salads!

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  7. This salad looks so delightful! I know what you mean about craving bright, fresh flavors in winter. You need to break up all the heavy comfort food! Lucky you that you can get meyer lemon!

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    1. Thank you, Katherine! It's always a treat to find Meyer lemons - they are such a pleasure to cook with and eat.

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  8. Perfect to brighten up the Winter days, thank goodness for citrus :)

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    1. You are so right - such fresh, bright flavor from citrus to carry us until spring arrives.

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