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### Instructions
#### 1. **Prepare the Vegetables**
Start by preparing the vegetables. Peel and thinly slice the cucumbers, cutting them into rounds or half-moons, depending on your preference. If you’d like, sprinkle the sliced cucumbers with a little salt and let them sit for 10-15 minutes to draw out excess moisture. Afterward, blot the cucumbers with a paper towel to keep the salad crisp.
Shred the cabbage finely, either by hand or with a mandoline slicer for uniform pieces. If you’re using a carrot, julienne or grate it for a pop of color and slight sweetness. If you like the extra zing, thinly slice the red onion.
#### 2. **Make the Dressing**
In a small bowl, whisk together the olive oil, apple cider vinegar, and honey (or sugar). The honey adds a subtle sweetness that balances the tang of the vinegar. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper to taste. Feel free to adjust the vinegar and honey amounts depending on your preferred level of tang and sweetness.
#### 3. **Toss the Salad**
In a large bowl, combine the sliced cucumbers, shredded cabbage, carrot, and red onion (if using). Pour the dressing over the vegetables and toss gently to combine, making sure all the ingredients are coated evenly.
#### 4. **Chill and Serve**
Once everything is tossed, let the salad sit in the refrigerator for about 20-30 minutes to chill and allow the flavors to meld together. This step is optional but will enhance the flavor and make the salad even more refreshing.
Before serving, garnish the salad with chopped fresh dill or parsley for a burst of fresh herb flavor and color.
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### Why This Recipe Works
– **Crisp Texture**: The combination of cucumbers and cabbage gives the salad an amazing crunch. The cucumbers provide cool freshness, while the cabbage offers a hearty, satisfying bite.
– **Balanced Dressing**: The simple dressing of olive oil, vinegar, and honey gives the salad a tangy-sweet balance that complements the freshness of the vegetables perfectly.
– **Health Benefits**: Both cucumbers and cabbage are high in fiber and water content, which can help with digestion and hydration. Cabbage also contains antioxidants and vitamin C, making this salad not only delicious but healthy too.
– **Easy to Customize**: You can easily add other vegetables to this salad, like bell peppers, radishes, or tomatoes, for even more flavor and color. You can also add some toasted seeds or nuts for extra crunch.
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### Tips for Perfect Cucumber and Cabbage Salad
– **Salt the Cucumbers**: If you want to keep your salad from getting watery, sprinkle your sliced cucumbers with a little salt and let them sit for 10-15 minutes before draining off any excess liquid.
– **Use a Mandoline**: For uniform slices of cucumber and finely shredded cabbage, a mandoline slicer is a great tool. It makes prep time faster and ensures that your vegetables are sliced evenly.
– **Make it a Meal**: To make this salad more substantial, add some protein like grilled chicken, shrimp, or tofu. You could also toss in some quinoa or chickpeas for a vegetarian option.
– **Make Ahead**: This salad can be made ahead of time, but if you’re planning to store it, wait until just before serving to add the dressing to avoid the salad becoming soggy.
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### Final Thoughts
**Cucumber and Cabbage Salad** is an incredibly simple yet delicious dish that brings together the fresh, crunchy textures of cucumbers and cabbage with a tangy, sweet dressing. It’s versatile, nutritious, and perfect for any occasion, whether you’re serving it alongside a grilled meal or enjoying it as a light lunch.
With just a few basic ingredients, this salad is not only easy to prepare, but it’s also customizable to your taste. Add extra veggies, swap in your favorite herbs, or adjust the dressing to your liking—it’s a dish that you can make your own. So the next time you’re craving something light, refreshing, and full of crunch, this Cucumber and Cabbage Salad will be a crowd-pleaser that’s as healthy as it is tasty.
