Watercress Salad Recipe

Watercress: A leafy green with a slightly peppery flavor that adds freshness and crunch.

Cherry tomatoes: Small, sweet tomatoes that add a burst of color and juiciness.

Cucumber: Crisp and cool, cucumber adds a refreshing crunch to the salad.

Red onion: Thinly sliced for a mild, slightly sweet onion flavor that balances the salad.

Olive oil: A smooth, fruity oil that brings all the flavors together in the dressing.

Lemon juice: Freshly squeezed to add a bright, tangy taste to the dressing.

Salt: Enhances the natural flavors of the ingredients.

Black pepper: Adds a little bit of heat and depth to the dressing.

When you’re mixing the dressing for this watercress salad, whisking the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and pepper together is a simple step that really makes a difference. Here’s how to do it without making a mess or missing any flavor:

1. Use a small bowl that’s just the right size—not too big or too small. This helps the ingredients stay together while you whisk.
2. Hold the bowl steady with one hand. With your other hand, grab a fork or a small whisk.
3. Move the whisk or fork quickly in small circles or back-and-forth motions. This helps the olive oil and lemon juice mix smoothly.
4. Keep whisking until the dressing looks a little thick and shiny, and you don’t see separate drops of oil floating on top.

Doing this makes the dressing taste better because the oil and lemon juice blend evenly. If you don’t whisk well, the dressing can be oily in some bites and sour in others. When everything is mixed just right, every bite of the salad gets a little bit of that fresh, tangy flavor.

I remember the first time I tried whisking dressing, I accidentally splashed lemon juice all over the counter! Now, I always whisk slowly at first, then speed up once the ingredients start coming together. Also, if you don’t have a whisk, a fork works just fine and is easier to clean. This little trick makes the whole salad come alive with flavor and keeps your kitchen clean too.

• watercress - Substitute with arugula: Arugula has a similar peppery flavor and tender texture, making it a great alternative to watercress.

• cherry tomatoes - Substitute with grape tomatoes: Grape tomatoes have a similar sweetness and juiciness, providing a comparable taste and texture.

• cucumber - Substitute with zucchini: Sliced zucchini offers a similar crunch and mild flavor, making it a suitable replacement for cucumber.

• red onion - Substitute with shallots: Shallots have a milder and slightly sweeter taste, which can complement the salad without overpowering it.

• olive oil - Substitute with avocado oil: Avocado oil has a similar healthy fat profile and a mild flavor, making it a good alternative to olive oil.

• lemon juice - Substitute with lime juice: Lime juice provides a similar acidity and citrus flavor, which can brighten up the salad just like lemon juice.

• salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can offer a similar level of seasoning with a slightly different mineral content, enhancing the salad's flavor.

• black pepper - Substitute with white pepper: White pepper has a slightly different heat profile but can still provide the necessary spiciness to the salad.

• To keep your watercress salad fresh, store it in an airtight container. This helps maintain the crispness of the watercress and other vegetables.
• Place a paper towel at the bottom of the container to absorb any excess moisture. This prevents the salad from becoming soggy.
• Store the dressing separately in a small jar or container. This ensures that the salad ingredients remain fresh and crunchy until you're ready to serve.
• If you need to prepare the salad ahead of time, combine the watercress, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion in the container, but do not add the dressing until just before serving.
• For freezing, it's best to avoid freezing the watercress salad as the vegetables will lose their texture and become mushy. However, you can freeze the dressing separately if needed.
• To freeze the dressing, pour it into an ice cube tray and freeze until solid. Once frozen, transfer the dressing cubes to a freezer-safe bag or container. This allows you to thaw only the amount you need.
• When ready to serve, thaw the dressing cubes in the refrigerator or at room temperature. Shake or whisk the dressing well before pouring it over the salad.
• Always serve the watercress salad immediately after adding the dressing to enjoy the best texture and flavor.

• Unfortunately, reheating a watercress salad is not recommended as it can cause the watercress to wilt and lose its fresh, crisp texture. Instead, consider these alternatives:
  • Refreshing the Salad: If the salad has been stored in the refrigerator, you can refresh it by adding a bit more olive oil and lemon juice to bring back some of the flavors. Toss gently to combine.
  • Using Leftover Ingredients: Repurpose the leftover salad ingredients into a new dish. For example, you can add the watercress, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion to a sandwich or wrap for a fresh crunch.
  • Making a New Salad: If you have leftover dressing, you can use it to make a new salad with fresh ingredients. Combine new watercress, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion with the leftover dressing for a quick and easy meal.
  • Cooking the Ingredients: If you prefer a warm dish, consider sautéing the leftover watercress with a bit of olive oil and garlic. Add the cherry tomatoes and cucumber towards the end for a warm, flavorful side dish.

• Large mixing bowl: A spacious bowl to combine the watercress, cherry tomatoes, cucumber, and red onion.

• Small bowl: A smaller bowl to whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper for the dressing.

• Whisk: A utensil to thoroughly mix the dressing ingredients until well combined.

• Salad tongs: Useful for gently tossing the salad with the dressing to ensure even coating.

• Chef's knife: Essential for slicing the cucumber and red onion with precision.

• Cutting board: A sturdy surface to safely slice the vegetables.

• Measuring cups: To accurately measure the watercress and cherry tomatoes.

• Measuring spoons: To precisely measure the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper.

Pre-wash and trim: Wash and trim the watercress and other vegetables in advance to save time when assembling the salad.

Use a mandoline: Slice the cucumber and red onion quickly and uniformly with a mandoline slicer.

Pre-make the dressing: Whisk together the olive oil, lemon juice, salt, and black pepper and store in a jar. Shake well before using.

Batch prep: Prepare larger quantities of the salad ingredients and store them separately in airtight containers for quick assembly throughout the week.