The perfect salad for mother’s day is one that’s as delicious and wonderful as it is beautiful. This strawberry cucumber salad is just that
It’s that time of year again. The time that we all take a moment to remember the women that have given up their own selfish desires just so that we could live, experience all that life has to offer, love and be loved. I know I certainly have a lot to thank my mother for, and my husband’s mother as he is wonderful, which means she must be as well. If you want to give the perfect Mother’s Day gift, get her the Rosanna bowl (or another) pictured above, filled to the top with this beautiful salad and just go spend an afternoon with your mom, leaving the bowl as her gift. (No, I wasn’t paid to say that, but I did receive this pretty bowl from Rosanna and loved it so much I thought you should too)
But, enough about that… let’s move on to the good stuff. My mom, Carolyn was born and raised in good ol’ Idaho. Jerome to be exact, though there’s a huge chance you’ve never even heard of it. She was the daughter of a farmer and World War II vet. Mom loved living on a farm and told us a dozen or so stories about, “Ducky Lucky” little lambs and her brother crying that the lambs would lose their tails, playing in the ditch out back with cucumber boats, learning to ride a horse and laying in the tall fields watching the clouds slowly move across the big, blue sky. Sounds heavenly doesn’t it?
My Mother in law, on the other hand, was raised clear across the country in North Carolina. Nancy grew up in a place that had the best of both worlds, beautiful, lush mountains and weather and the gorgeous beach and ocean. Nancy is a true southern belle. She loves the people around her and gets to know each person and their story. She also has a cute little southern accent and says funny words like, “pocket book” for purse and “buggy” for shopping cart.
This salad is a perfect way to celebrate both of the mothers in our lives. It’s beautiful and wonderful, just like both of the lovely ladies that raised us. And while I can still hardly believe this myself, I’m now a mother, and it is truly the greatest thing I’ve ever done. There’s no one who sacrifices or loves like a mother does for her children. It’s kind of like that favorite book of mine, I’ll Love You Forever” and the sweet song that portrays perfectly how we feel about our children and our mothers. “I’ll love you forever, I’ll like you for always. As long as I’m living my baby you’ll be” I love that we have this special holiday to remember those who have sacrificed so much to bring us into the world and surround us with love and protection.
Here’s to the women in my life. I adore each of you and your examples to me.
Can Cucumbers Be Eaten With the Skin On?
You can eat cucumbers with the skin on.
The cucumber should be washed thoroughly, using a brush, to remove the little stickers on the skin.
Cucumber peel is a good source of dietary fiber that helps reduce constipation and offers some protection against colon cancers.
Are Cucumbers Nutritious?
There are only 16 calories in a cup of cucumbers.
One cup of cucumber will provide you with about 4 percent of your daily potassium, 3 percent of your daily fiber and 4 percent of your daily vitamin C.
They also provide small amounts of vitamin K, magnesium, potassium, manganese and vitamin A.
Are Strawberries Good For You?
Strawberries are packed with vitamins, fiber, and particularly high levels of antioxidants.
They are a good low calorie food.
Strawberry Cucumber Salad
Strawberry Cucumber Salad
Description
Ingredients
- 1 Pint Strawberries, sliced in circles
- 1 Large or 2 Small Cucumbers, peeled leaving occasional strips of peel on, sliced in circles
- 2 Tablespoons Balsamic Vinegar
- 2 Tablespoons Honey
Instructions
- Mix the balsamic vinegar and honey in a small bowl.
- Arrange the strawberries and cucumbers in a bowl, layering one slightly overlapping the other like a fan.
- Pour the dressing over the top.
- See note*
Notes
Nutrition
Recommended Products
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I love this strawberry salad!
Juicy peaches grilled to perfection and served with a fresh dressing.
Wanda
I have the exact same bowl in a cream color, never thought of using it as a salad bowl. I am definitely going to make this salad.Thanks for posting it.
Sweet Basil
Thanks Wanda!
allen
i think i must go green.
Jasmine
Im not sure if you still read your comments but I absolutely loved this!! Simple easy and quick! I made this with our dinner tonight and my kids (1 & 5) loved it! Thank you so very much for this post!
Sweet Basil
Hi Jasmine,
I definitely do see them and I can’t tell you how much I love hearing this! Thank you for not only trying it but taking your time to come back and comment!
Jeannette Votaw
How far in advance can the strawberry cucumber salad be made before serving? I have a gathering I would like to make it for, so if I prepared it now it would be in refrigerator for 15 hours?
Sweet Basil
Sadly the vinegar begins to break down and pickle the cucumbers and strawberries, which is good if that’s the flavor you want but if you’re just looking to enjoy the salad I wouldn’t make it more then a few hours in advance. Or, you could make it, wrap in saran and refrigerate and then right before serving dress it. 🙂
Jeannette Votaw
Thats what I intend to do then , definately want to experience the recipe the way its presented, can’t wait ! Thank you for your reply, recipe , and story!
Sweet Basil
and thank you for coming by!
Valerie
Darlin’,
It is so precious for you to honor your grandmother this way. I have been a woman of the South since birth. It has only been in my later years that I have been passionate about it. After years of trying to be worldly I realized how much I loved my family and who I am. Food is love to a Southerner! Thanks, I was looking for this recipe.
Sweet Basil
Valerie,
Thank you for taking the time to leave such a sweet comment. I love our Southern side of the family and yes, food is totally love to a southerner and I adore that about them! Have a wonderful day!
Micheale
I usually do not comment about things that I look at. But I have to say loved the story and of course the beautiful salad.. I will use this when we are watching a movie at home ( no more junk food ). I know that we will be so much more satisfied and healthy.
Sweet Basil
I’m so glad you did. It’s secretly our favorite part about blogging, interacting with everyone. Thanks!!
Tracey Evans
I made this salad for a gathering of friends and family. It went over BIG TIME! Everyone loved it, and sadly, there was none left to bring home….:( However, although I made the dressing and kept it on the side for those who wanted it, I also made a Raspberry Vinagrette dressing that tasted wonderful with this salad too…….Just to give a heads up.
Sweet Basil
OH YES!! I love the raspberry vinaigrette idea. Thank you!
Jacki
Can’t wait to try the salad and I really love the bowl! Where did you get it?
Sweet Basil
Thanks!I actually got it at a thrift store, which is the worst answer because there’s no way to track down another.
Leslie
Hi Carrian! The name of your blog caught my eye because I LOVE basil. The picture caught my eye – what a beautiful presentation. I never thought of putting cucumbers & strawberries together but sounds good. Thanks!
Sweet Basil
It’s totally different but works so well together!
kathy
love the bowl
Sweet Basil
gorgeous right?!
Lydia
This looks so fresh and cool for summer! Making it for dinner tonight- can’t wait!!
Debbie Smith
I was born and bred in NC…pocket book, buggies, y’all, yonder…etc. Can’t wait to try this! I”m sure my kids will love it too. Thanks!
Lauren @ LaurenPhelpsCoaching
Beautiful! Does it taste better when you layer it like that? It certainly caught my eye. My grandmother always called her purse a pocket book and I definitely call carts buggies 🙂 #memphis Have a fabulous day!
Deb
I love how you incorporated your family in the story….that really looks good….
Wendy
What a beautiful salad! The dressing sounds wonderful with the sweet and crunch of the strawberries and cucumbers. I enjoyed reading about your moms. Its a huge country with so many different ways of life, each with their merits.
Sweet Basil
thanks, wendy!
Holly@ EatGreatBEGreat
So simple and elegant! I love it!
Sweet Basil
Thanks Holly! I love simple
Yvonne @ Dress This Nest
I love this! So simple and refreshing. I can’t wait to make this for a summer potluck. Thanks!
Sweet Basil
Thank you!! I hope you enjoy it. It’s so light and easy.
Kristin @ OneOrganicMama
Yum!! This is a perfect summer recipe! I am pinning now 🙂
I would love for your to join in THE Pin it Party with your most pinnable posts & The Weekend Block Party (where you can link up your facebook, twitter, bloglovin, intagram, and pinterest – so bloggers can stalk you ALL over social media) both going on now at One Organic Mama.
Happy Mother’s Day <3
Kevin @ Closet Cooking
Amazing presentation for this salad!
Sweet Basil
Thanks, Kevin!!
Nutmeg Nanny
Oh, this is too pretty 🙂 I love this!
Kalyn
Gorgeous salad. And be sure to spoil your mom while you still have her!
Tumbleweed Contessa
What a light and lovely idea. I am glad I saw this over at time to sparkle. I’ll pin it and follow. I hope you will come share this at my weekly party: https://www.tumbleweedcontessa.com/blog/whatd-you-do-this-weekend-14/
Courtney @ Neighborfood
What a lovely and elegant way to celebrate the moms in your life. This salad has such an understated gracefulness…I think it’s a perfect way to honor our gracious and beautiful moms.
Roxana | Roxana’s Home Baking
Such a gorgeous and refreshing salad Carrian! I admire your patience to make is so pretty!
Sweet Basil
you know what’s funny? It took like 5 minutes. Haha! I thought it would take forever too!
ashley – baker by nature
This is SUCH a gorgeous salad!!! I could stare at it (and then eat it) all day long!!!
Emily
This is so, so pretty!
Sweet Basil
awww thanks!! It tastes yummy too!
Maria Tadic
This looks so pretty and delicious. I love fruit in salads – especially strawberries. But I have to ask…how long did it take you make that look so perfect?!
Sweet Basil
ok, I promise it took like around 5-6 minutes, but I was holding a handful in one hand and layering with the other. I bet someone else could do it faster, but that was the first time I ever attempted that.
Chung-Ah | Damn Delicious
What a gorgeous salad! And I have like 4 lb of strawberries to use up too!
Sweet Basil
well, that’s going to make a mighty big salad… 😉
Carla @ Carlas Confections
I love that salad bowl and the salad is seriously pretty!
Sweet Basil
Isn’t it so pretty?!
Hayley @ The Domestic Rebel
This salad is truly a work of art!
Sweet Basil
awwww thanks, Hayles!
Abby @ The Frosted Vegan
This is so gorgeous, love the styling!
Sweet Basil
Thanks Abby!
Lauren @ Climbing Grier Mountain
This salad makes me grin from ear to ear! It’s so beautiful and something my own mother would adore!
Sweet Basil
yay!!! I’m so glad to hear it!
Liz @ The Lemon Bowl
What a gorgeous salad!!! Such a beautiful way to present such a beautiful dish!
Sweet Basil
Thanks, Liz!
Meagan @ A Zesty Bite
This salad is gorgeous and love the flavor combo.
Cassie | Bake Your Day
This is beautiful, my friend!
Sweet Basil
awwww, thanks!
Trezy
Where do I click to get the recipe? I know it must be there, but, I can’t find where to get the recipe for this strawberry cucumber salad.
Sweet Basil
Hi Trezy, The recipe should be appearing. Sorry about the error earlier.
claire @ the realistic nutritionist
prettiest salad ever in the history of salads.
Sweet Basil
eeeeek! Thank you!
Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough
LOVE how gorgeous and fresh this salad looks!
Sweet Basil
Thank you, Stephanie!!
Maria
Love this salad!
Alaina @ Fabtastic Eats
This is beautiful!! And it sounds so refreshing! Love it!
Sweet Basil
Totally is refreshing. We love it!
Robyn Stone | Add a Pinch
This is a beautiful salad, Carrian! Your arrangement makes it just breathtaking!!! Love the stories about your mother and mother-in-law!!! xoxo
Tieghan
so pretty! Gosh I LOVE strawberries!!
The two moms in you life sound Incredible! You are very lucky and they are very lucky they have you making them this salad!
leslie
Growing up on a farm must have been fabulous for your Mom.
love this beautiful bowl and the salad that is perfectly placed in it…yum
Sweet Basil
Sometimes I think it truly is the better life
Averie @ Averie Cooks
This is gorgeous and it’s so perfect! I could get dizzy in a great way staring into it 🙂