Georgian Tomato and Cucumber Salad with Walnut Dressing
Local name: პომიდორ-კიტრის სალათა ნიგვზით
In short: A summer salad of ripe tomatoes, crisp cucumbers and red onion with fresh herbs, dressed with sunflower oil and a spoonful of garlicky walnut paste. It takes about 15 min in total and makes 4 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 0 min
- Total
- 15 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 180 kcal
A plate of tomatoes and cucumbers with red onion and torn basil or cilantro is on almost every Georgian summer table. The plain dressing is sunflower oil and salt. The version with walnuts adds a spoonful of ground walnut paste, made with garlic and coriander, which turns the juices into a creamy, nutty sauce. It takes 15 minutes. Serve it right away with bread, grilled meat or lobio.
Instructions
- Grind the walnuts, garlic, coriander and salt in a small food processor to a fine paste. Add the vinegar, oil and 3 tbsp of the water, then blend until creamy.
- Add more water if needed. The dressing should fall slowly from a spoon, like thin cream.
- Put the tomatoes, cucumbers, onion and herbs in a large bowl. Sprinkle with the salt and toss gently.
- Spoon the walnut dressing over the salad and toss until the vegetables are coated. Taste and adjust the salt and vinegar.
- Rest the salad for 5 minutes so the tomatoes release their juices, then serve with bread to soak them up.
Tips
- Use the ripest tomatoes you can find. In winter, cherry tomatoes taste better than large, pale ones. Salt the vegetables just before serving so the cucumbers stay crisp.
- The dressing keeps for 2 days in the fridge, so loosen it with water before using. For a lighter salad, skip it and use just oil, salt and herbs.
Questions and answers
What herbs go in a Georgian tomato salad?
Basil and cilantro, and sometimes dill or parsley. Use whatever fresh herbs you have, and add them just before serving so they stay bright.
Can I make the walnut dressing ahead?
Yes. It keeps for 2 days in a covered jar in the fridge. It thickens as it sits, so stir in a spoonful of water before using.
What do you serve with Georgian tomato and cucumber salad?
Bread or mchadi, grilled meat and skewers, fried potatoes or lobio. It also makes a light lunch on its own, with cheese.
How long does it take to make Georgian Tomato and Cucumber Salad with Walnut Dressing?
About 15 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 0 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Georgian Tomato and Cucumber Salad with Walnut Dressing?
About 180 kcal per serving, with 5 g of protein, 12 g of carbohydrates and 13 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 180 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 5 g |
| Carbohydrates | 12 g |
| Fat | 13 g |
| Fiber | 3 g |
| Sugar | 7 g |
| Sodium | 430 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
