Salata Arabiya: Exploring the Classic Arabic Salad

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Delight in the refreshing flavors of Salata Arabiya with this easy-to-follow recipe. Juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and zesty red onions harmonize in a vibrant salad that bursts with freshness.

Arabic Salad, or Salata Arabiya, occupies a cherished spot in my heart from childhood. A timeless classic, my mother’s loving preparation ensures it’s a perpetual favorite. This dish seamlessly blends refreshing elements with tantalizing flavors, ensuring its delightful presence at every meal. At its essence, Arabic Salad stars juicy tomatoes, crisp cucumbers, and zesty red onions, consistently stealing the show as my preferred side dish for any occasion.

Ingredient in the Arabic Salad recipe

  • Large Tomatoes: Bringing a juicy and refreshing element to the salad, the tomatoes provide a sweet and slightly acidic flavor, complementing the other ingredients.
  • Persian Cucumbers or English Cucumbers: Crisp and mild cucumbers add an excellent and hydrating quality to the salad, balancing the flavors with their subtle sweetness.
  • Red Onion: Offering a mild sharpness and sweetness, red onions contribute a distinct crunch and color to the salad.
  • Italian Parsley: Herbaceous and slightly peppery, Italian parsley adds a fresh and vibrant flavor, enhancing the overall herb profile of the salad.
  • Fresh Mint: Providing a burst of coolness and aromatic notes, fresh mint elevates the salad with its refreshing taste.
  • Green Onions: Adding a mild flavor, green onions contribute a crisp texture and a subtle savory note.
  • Dry Mint: Introducing a more concentrated mint flavor, dry mint complements the fresh mint and adds depth to the final flavor.
  • Salt and Pepper: Enhancing and balancing the flavors, salt brings out the natural tastes of the vegetables, while pepper adds a hint of spiciness.
  • Dressing – Lemon Juice and Extra Virgin Olive Oil: The dressing combines the zesty acidity of lemon juice with the richness of extra virgin olive oil, creating a light and flavorful dressing that ties all the ingredients together.

What to Serve with Salata Arabiya (Arabic Salad)

Salata Arabiya, or Arabic Salad or Salata Baladi, is a refreshing blend of diced vegetables, emphasizing the crispness and lightness of chopped cucumbers. What sets Salata Arabiya apart is its delightfully simple olive oil-based dressing, enhancing the natural flavors without overpowering them.

This versatile salad has a special place across the Middle East and complements various dishes. In Morocco, it’s a refreshing side for tagines, couscous, or grilled meats. Across Middle Eastern cuisines, it pairs well with maqluba (an upside-down rice and vegetable dish) and moujadara. For a delightful twist, Salata Arabiya makes an excellent topping for a falafel sandwich, infusing freshness into every bite. Enjoy its vibrant flavors alongside your favorite Middle Eastern dishes!

Personalizing Your Salata Arabiya

The basic Salata Arabiya uses tomatoes, cucumbers, and red onions. Yet, its allure invites creativity. Craft a unique Arabic Salad with personal touches. Here’s a guide:

  • Start with Basics: Pick tomatoes you like, such as beefsteak or Roma. Each offers distinct flavors. Choose Persian or English cucumbers for crunch. Add sliced or diced red onions for flavor and color.
  • Add Variety: To enhance your Salata Arabiya, introduce slices or diced bell peppers in red, yellow, or green, or consider adding finely chopped green onions for a delicate yet vibrant flavor. Diced radishes also make a fantastic addition, offering a peppery bite and extra crispness.
  • Elevate with Olive Oil and Fresh Herbs: No Salata Arabiya is complete without a drizzle of good-quality olive oil. This enriches the flavors of your Arabic Salad with a fruity and smooth character and aligns with the healthy principles of Mediterranean cuisine. Don’t forget that fresh herbs like parsley and mint are staples in dishes like Salata Arabiya. While finely chopped Italian parsley adds brightness and vivid color, fresh mint leaves offer a soothing and refreshing touch.
How to Make Salata Arabiya: Exploring the Classic Arabic Salad

Preparation

1.
Start by dicing the tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion into small, uniform pieces.
Mark as complete
2.
Chop the fresh parsley, mint, and green onions.
Combine the diced tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, parsley, mint, and green onions in a large bowl.
Mark as complete
3.
Sprinkle the dry mint, salt, and pepper over the salad, adjusting the amounts according to your taste preferences.
Squeeze the juice of 2 lemons over the ingredients.
Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil on top.
Mark as complete
4.
Toss the salad gently to ensure all the ingredients are well mixed and coated with the dressing.
Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed.
Serve the Salata Arabiya immediately and enjoy its refreshing flavors.
Mark as complete

Ingredients:

1X 2X 3X
Adjust Servings
5 large tomatoes
3 Persian cucumbers or one large English cucumber
½ red onion
1 cup Italian parsley
1 cup fresh mint
3 green onions
1 tablespoon dry mint
Salt and pepper
2 lemons juiced
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
For the dressing:
Juice of 2 lemons
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil

Preparation

1
Start by dicing the tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion into small, uniform pieces.
2
Chop the fresh parsley, mint, and green onions. Combine the diced tomatoes, cucumber, red onion, parsley, mint, and green onions in a large bowl.
3
Sprinkle the dry mint, salt, and pepper over the salad, adjusting the amounts according to your taste preferences. Squeeze the juice of 2 lemons over the ingredients. Drizzle the extra virgin olive oil on top.
4
Toss the salad gently to ensure all the ingredients are well mixed and coated with the dressing. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed. Serve the Salata Arabiya immediately and enjoy its refreshing flavors.

Recipe Tips & Suggestions

Storage Recommendation:

To maintain the freshness and quality of Salata Arabiya, it is best enjoyed immediately after preparation. However, if you have leftovers, you can store the salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 24 hours. It's important to note that the longer the salad sits, the softer the vegetables may become, and the flavors may intensify. For optimal freshness, it is recommended to chop the vegetables ahead of time and add the dressing just 15 minutes before serving. This will help retain the crispness of the ingredients and prevent them from becoming soggy. Remember to gently toss the salad before serving to redistribute the flavors.

Nutrition Information

The information shown is an estimate provided by an online nutrition calculator. It should should not be considered a substitute for a professional nutritionist's advice.
See our full nutrition disclosure here.

rana

By Rana

Thanks for visiting my Mediterranean food blog and welcome to my virtual kitchen! Here, you’ll find mouth-watering, wholesome, and nutritious Mediterranean recipes that will change the way you view cooking.

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