C-CAP Salad

This is the salad that every C-CAP student prepares for the annual scholarship competition. It’s a test of their knife skills, seasoning ability, organization, hygiene and ability to work under pressure.
By Richard Grausman 
Founder, C-CAP
By | September 15, 2021

Ingredients

SERVINGS: Makes 2 portions
Vinaigrette
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon vinegar (rice, white wine or tarragon)
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
  • 6 tablespoons olive oil (light or virgin)
  • 2 teaspoons minced cilantro
  • 1 whole tomato, peeled, seeded, small dice
  • ½ English cucumber (preferred), peeled, seeded, small dice
  • ¼ red bell pepper, small dice
  • ¼ yellow bell pepper, small dice
  • ¼ red onion, small dice
  • ¼ jicama (if available), small dice
  • ½ English cucumber (preferred), thinly sliced

Instructions

In a bowl, add lime juice, vinegar, salt and black pepper. Incorporate the olive oil slowly, whisking vigorously until emulsified. Add minced cilantro and blend well. Remember to taste and add additional vinegar, salt and/or black pepper to balance out the dressing if necessary.

In a separate bowl, combine all the diced vegetables and toss with a small amount of the vinaigrette, using enough to coat the vegetables. Do not overdress the salad.

Taste and readjust seasoning with salt and/or pepper, if necessary.

Arrange the thinly sliced cucumbers in a lightly oiled ring mold (2 inches deep, 3 inches round) on a large plate. (You will need approximately 12–14 slices of cucumber.)

Drain the diced vegetables of any extra vinaigrette, preferably with a small sieve.

Fill the ring mold lined with cucumbers with the drained vegetables just to the rim of the cucumber slices and press lightly with the back of a spoon to compress the vegetables.

Unmold the salad, making sure you have filled the mold.

 

 

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Ingredients

SERVINGS: Makes 2 portions
Vinaigrette
  • 2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon vinegar (rice, white wine or tarragon)
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon black pepper
  • 6 tablespoons olive oil (light or virgin)
  • 2 teaspoons minced cilantro
  • 1 whole tomato, peeled, seeded, small dice
  • ½ English cucumber (preferred), peeled, seeded, small dice
  • ¼ red bell pepper, small dice
  • ¼ yellow bell pepper, small dice
  • ¼ red onion, small dice
  • ¼ jicama (if available), small dice
  • ½ English cucumber (preferred), thinly sliced