Cucumber and Tinned Fish Salad (Printable Version)

Fresh cucumber and avocado salad topped with flavorful tinned sardines or mackerel and a zesty vinaigrette.

# Ingredient List:

→ Vegetables

01 - 1 large English cucumber, thinly sliced (about 9 inches)
02 - 1 ripe avocado, diced
03 - 4 radishes, thinly sliced
04 - 1 small shallot, finely sliced
05 - 1 tablespoon fresh dill, chopped
06 - 1 tablespoon fresh parsley, chopped

→ Protein

07 - 1 can (4 to 4.4 oz) premium sardines or mackerel in olive oil, drained

→ Dressing

08 - 2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil
09 - 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
10 - 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
11 - 1 teaspoon honey
12 - 1 teaspoon capers, chopped
13 - Salt and freshly ground black pepper, to taste

→ Garnish

14 - Lemon wedges
15 - Freshly cracked black pepper

# Steps:

01 - Place cucumber, avocado, radishes, shallot, dill, and parsley into a large jar or container with a tight-fitting lid, arranging in even layers.
02 - Whisk together olive oil, lemon juice, Dijon mustard, honey, chopped capers, salt, and pepper in a small bowl until smooth.
03 - Pour the dressing over the layered vegetables in the jar, seal tightly, and shake gently to combine ingredients evenly.
04 - Divide the dressed salad between two plates and top each with half the drained sardines or mackerel.
05 - Finish with lemon wedges and an extra sprinkle of freshly cracked black pepper. Serve immediately, optionally accompanied by crusty bread.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's ready in 15 minutes, which means more time to actually sit down and enjoy the company.
  • The shaker method keeps everything crisp until the last moment, and there's something fun about the ritual of it.
  • Premium tinned fish elevated into something that feels restaurant-worthy, but your wallet stays happy.
02 -
  • Don't drain the tin and throw away the oil—that liquid is golden and adds richness to every bite, so either use it in the dressing or drizzle it over the plated salad.
  • If you make this more than 15 minutes ahead, the cucumber will start to soften; this is a same-day, same-hour kind of dish.
03 -
  • Prep everything the morning of if you want, but assemble and shake the salad within an hour of eating—freshness is the whole point here.
  • The real secret is using the best ingredients you can find, especially the olive oil and fish; they're the stars, so let them shine.
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