Cherry Picnic Salad
For your next outdoor gathering or family picnic, elevate your spread with a delightful and refreshing dish – Cherry Picnic Salad. Bursting with flavors and textures, this salad is a perfect combination of sweet, tangy, and crunchy elements that will impress your guests and add a touch of elegance to your table. With fresh cherries as the star ingredient, this salad is a sure crowd-pleaser that you’ll want to make again and again.
**Cherry Picnic Salad**
**Ingredients:**
– 2 cups fresh cherries, pitted and halved
– 1 cup fresh blueberries
– 1 cup diced cucumber
– ½ cup crumbled feta cheese
– ¼ cup chopped fresh mint leaves
– 2 tablespoons honey
– 1 tablespoon lemon juice
– Salt and pepper to taste
**Instructions:**
1. **Prepare the Ingredients:** Start by pitting and halving the fresh cherries. Dice the cucumber into small, bite-sized pieces. Chop the fresh mint leaves and crumble the feta cheese.
2. **Combine the Fruits:** In a large bowl, combine the pitted and halved cherries, fresh blueberries, and diced cucumber. Gently toss the fruits together to mix evenly.
3. **Add the Flavorful Elements:** Sprinkle the crumbled feta cheese over the fruits in the bowl. Next, add the chopped fresh mint leaves to the mixture. The feta cheese adds a creamy and salty contrast to the sweet fruits, while the mint leaves provide a refreshing herbal note.
4. **Dress the Salad:** In a small bowl, whisk together the honey, lemon juice, salt, and pepper until well combined. Drizzle this sweet and tangy dressing over the cherry and fruit mixture in the bowl.
5. **Toss and Chill:** Gently toss all the ingredients together until the fruits are evenly coated with the dressing. Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning if needed by adding more salt, pepper, or a touch of honey for extra sweetness. Once well mixed, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
6. **Serve and Enjoy:** After chilling, give the Cherry Picnic Salad a final toss to incorporate any dressing that may have settled at the bottom. Transfer the salad to a serving bowl or platter, and garnish with a few extra mint leaves for a pop of color and freshness. This vibrant and colorful salad is ready to be enjoyed with your loved ones at your picnic or outdoor gathering.
Bring a taste of summer to your table with this Cherry Picnic Salad that combines the natural sweetness of cherries with the zing of blueberries, the crunch of cucumber, and the creamy saltiness of feta cheese. The hint of mint and honey in the dressing ties all the flavors together for a harmonious and satisfying dish that perfectly captures the essence of the season. Don’t be surprised if this salad becomes a new favorite among your family and friends!