Tomato Cucumber Panela Salad

Tomato Cucumber Panela Salad made from cherry tomatoes, cucumbers, panela cheese drizzled with a cilantro lime dressing is a fuss free vibrant salad.

Let’s keep it real summers in Texas are caliente. Hace calor baby!

With the Texas heat I crave easy, no-fuss meals, because the last thing I want to be doing is spending long hours in the kitchen with the oven on (no extra sweating, thank you very much).

This no-cook salad comes together in a snap is perfect for entertaining and even better the next day for lunch. Cucumbers, cherry tomatoes, panela cheese drizzled with a cilantro lime dressing is a one bowl salad recipe.

WHAT IS PANELA CHEESE?

Panela cheese is a mild cheese, similar to queso fresco but not as crumbly. Panela can be enjoyed sliced, diced, or fried. In salads, a cheese board, with a dollop of guava paste or in tacos.

Panela is delicious.

Queso panela also known as queso canasta or basket cheese, is a Mexican cheese that is a cross between a firmer ricotta and halloumi cheese. Made from pasteurized skim cow milk, panela is gluten-free.

With its soft texture panela can be heated or pan fried and retain its shape. Pan fried panela is delicious in tacos, salads, in beef molcajete or in guacamole.

Panela cheese is a wonderful option for summer salads as it holds its shape and takes on flavor well.

INGREDIENTS NEEDED TO MAKE TOMATO CUCUMBER PANELA SALAD

cherry tomatoes

cucumbers

panela cheese  

cilantro, washed and finely minced

olive oil

white vinegar

lime juice

salt

pepper

HOW TO MAKE TOMATO CUCUMBER PANELA SALAD

Halve the cherry tomatoes.

Dice the cucumbers.

Cube the panela cheese.

You want each ingredient all equivalent size.

Place tomatoes, cucumber, and panela in a bowl.

Whisk together olive oil, vinegar, lime juice and salt until well blended.

Stir in cilantro.

Pour dressing over salad, stir to combine.

Chill until ready to serve.

WHAT TO SERVE WITH THIS RECIPE:

Fajitas

Brisket

Chicken

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Tomato Cucumber Panela Salad

Author: Vianney Rodriguez

Ingredients

• 2 cups cherry tomatoes, halved
• 2 cucumbers, diced
• 1 (16 ounce) pkg Panela cheese, cubed
• 1 bunch cilantro washed and finely minced
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons white vinegar
• 2 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 teaspoon pepper

Instructions

1. Place tomatoes, cucumber, and panela in a bowl.
2. Whisk together olive oil, vinegar, lime juice and salt and pepper until well blended.
3. Stir in cilantro. Pour dressing over salad, stir to combine, and chill until ready to serve.

Recipe Notes

Serves 6