Refreshing Carrot and Cucumber Salad with Zesty Mustard Dressing

This salad of carrots and cucumbers is a refreshing, crisp, and light dish that goes well with any meal particularly in warm weather. A zesty mustard vinaigrette gives a taste explosion to the mix of sweet carrots and crisp cucumbers. The addition of fresh herbs, such as cilantro, parsley, or basil, gives the salad a fragrant, herbal flavour that makes it filling and lively. This simple salad makes a nutritious side dish or is ideal for picnics and barbecues.

Ingredients:

For the Dressing:

• ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 1 tablespoon whole grain mustard
• 1½ teaspoons Dijon mustard
• 1 teaspoon sugar or honey
• Kosher salt and freshly ground black pepper, adjusted to your liking

For the Salad:

• 5 Persian cucumbers (or any cucumbers you prefer)
• 3 large carrots
• ¼ cup chopped basil, parsley, or cilantro (your choice)

Directions:
Get the dressing ready: Combine the whole grain mustard, Dijon mustard, apple cider vinegar, sugar (or honey), and extra-virgin olive oil in a small bowl. To your taste, add freshly cracked black pepper and kosher salt. Continue whisking until the dressing is fully blended and smooth.
Get the vegetables ready: Use a mandolin or vegetable peeler to cut the carrots into long, thin ribbons. You may also grate or julienne the carrots if you’d like a different texture. Cut the Persian cucumbers into half-moons if you want, or thinly round them out.
Put the salad together: Put the cucumber slices and carrot ribbons in a big bowl. Toss gently to mix in the chopped fresh herbs (citrus, parsley, or basil).

Prepare the salad: To ensure the veggies are uniformly coated, drizzle the salad with the mustard dressing and toss one more. If needed, add additional salt, pepper, or vinegar for extra tang to taste and adjust the flavour.
Serve: For a crisp, fresh flavour, serve the salad right away. Or, to let the flavours combine, place it in the fridge for ten to fifteen minutes.
In summary:

A tasty and nutritious complement to any meal is this salad of carrots and cucumbers. It is an enticing meal because of the fresh veggies’ vivid colours and crisp textures as well as the tart mustard vinaigrette. Every mouthful of this salad delivers taste and nutrients, making it a great choice for a light, nutritious snack or a refreshing side dish.