Shirazi Salad Recipe | Persian Cucumber Tomato Side Dish

Start by preparing the ingredients for Shirazi salad, which includes cucumbers, tomatoes, red onion, and fresh mint.

Use 2 English cucumbers, noting that Persian cucumbers can also be used if available.

Dice the cucumbers into a fine uniform size for balanced flavors in every bite.

Next, take 3 large fine tomatoes, ensuring they are ripe but firm to hold their shape when diced.

Optionally, remove the seeds from the tomatoes if they are particularly watery for a crisper salad.

Finely chop the red onion, then soak it in hot water for about 10 minutes to mellow its sharpness.

After soaking, drain the onion well and pat it dry before adding it to the salad.

Chop fresh mint and add it to the salad for brightness and aroma.

For the dressing, use lime juice to achieve a tart, acidic flavor, adding a couple tablespoons of extra virgin olive oil and pink salt to taste.

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and stir in the dressing.

Serve the salad straight away or within a couple of hours to maintain the crisp texture.

Dietary