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Ventura Strawberry & Persian Cucumber Salad

Chef Jason Paluska takes advantage of the height of strawberry season by highlighting the fruit in a fresh salad.

Ventura Strawberry & Persian Cucumber Salad
Photo courtesy of California Milk Advisory Board
Servings
6
Menu Part
  • salad
Main Ingredient
  • Strawberries
  • Cheese

Chef Jason Paluska

Lucky Penny

Santa Barbara, Calif.

Chef Jason Paluska takes advantage of the height of strawberry season by highlighting the fruit in a fresh salad. He infuses ricotta cheese with lemon to add to the mix as the finishing touch. It makes for a savory variation on the classic pairing of strawberries and cream.

Ingredients

Lemon-Infused Ricotta

12 oz. ricotta cheese

3 tbsp. lemon olive oil or 3 tbsp. olive oil and 1 tsp. finely grated lemon peel

Salad

9 oz. red watercress

9 oz. strawberries, sliced

6 oz. Persian cucumbers, sliced

Lemon juice, to taste

Olive oil, as needed

Kosher salt, as needed

¾ cup toasted whole cashews

Steps

  1. For lemon-infused ricotta, combine ricotta cheese with lemon olive or extra-virgin olive oil and grated lemon peel. Set aside and refrigerate if not used shortly.

  2. Per order, in bowl, toss 1½ ounces watercress, 1½ ounces sliced strawberries, 1 oz. sliced cucumbers and 2 tablespoons cashews with lemon juice and olive oil to dress. Season with salt and pepper. Add a dollop of ricotta and mix gently.

  3. On serving plate, arrange salad and dollop with a little more ricotta.

Photo courtesy of California Milk Advisory Board

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