Title: Light and Refreshing German Cucumber Salad

Introduction: Experience the delightful flavors of our Light and Refreshing German Cucumber Salad—a classic dish with a healthy twist that’s perfect for any occasion. Bursting with crisp cucumbers, tangy vinegar, and savory onions, this salad offers a satisfying crunch and refreshing taste while keeping the SmartPoints value low. Join us as we guide you through the simple steps to prepare this flavorful salad, accompanied by helpful tips and insightful nutritional information to support your wellness journey.

Ingredients:

  • 2 large cucumbers, thinly sliced
  • 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
  • 1/4 cup white vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil
  • 1 teaspoon granulated sugar (or sweetener of choice)
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill (optional, for garnish)

Instructions:

  1. Begin by washing the cucumbers thoroughly under cold water. Peel them if desired, or leave the skin on for added texture and nutrients. Slice the cucumbers thinly and place them in a large mixing bowl.
  2. Peel the red onion and slice it thinly into half-moon shapes. Add the sliced onion to the bowl with the cucumbers.
  3. In a small mixing bowl, combine the white vinegar, olive oil, granulated sugar, salt, and black pepper. Whisk the ingredients together until the sugar has dissolved and the dressing is well combined.
  4. Pour the dressing over the sliced cucumbers and onions in the large mixing bowl. Use tongs or a spoon to toss the salad gently, ensuring that the cucumbers and onions are evenly coated with the dressing.
  5. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap or a lid and refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the vegetables to marinate.
  6. Once chilled, give the salad a final toss before serving to ensure that the flavors are well balanced. Taste and adjust the seasoning, if necessary, by adding more salt and pepper as desired.
  7. Optionally, garnish the salad with chopped fresh dill for a pop of color and herbaceous flavor.

Enjoy the crisp and refreshing flavors of our Light and Refreshing German Cucumber Salad, a perfect accompaniment to any meal. With its low SmartPoints value and delightful taste, this salad is a healthy and satisfying choice for all occasions.

Here’s the breakdown of the points for each ingredient:

  1. Large cucumbers:
    • Calories: Approximately 16 calories per cup
    • Fiber: Approximately 1 gram per cup
    • SmartPoints: 0
  2. Medium red onion:
    • Calories: Approximately 32 calories per 1/2 cup
    • Fiber: Approximately 1.5 grams per 1/2 cup
    • SmartPoints: 0
  3. White vinegar:
    • Calories: Approximately 2 calories per tablespoon
    • Carbohydrates: Approximately 0.1 grams per tablespoon
    • SmartPoints: 0
  4. Olive oil:
    • Calories: Approximately 40 calories per tablespoon
    • Fat: Approximately 4.5 grams per tablespoon
    • SmartPoints: 4
  5. Granulated sugar:
    • Calories: Approximately 16 calories per teaspoon
    • Carbohydrates: Approximately 4 grams per teaspoon
    • SmartPoints: 1
  6. Salt:
    • Calories: Negligible
    • SmartPoints: 0
  7. Black pepper:
    • Calories: Negligible
    • SmartPoints: 0
  8. Fresh dill:
    • Calories: Negligible
    • SmartPoints: 0

To calculate the total SmartPoints for the entire recipe, add up the SmartPoints for each ingredient:

Total SmartPoints = 0 (cucumbers) + 0 (red onion) + 0 (vinegar) + 4 (olive oil) + 1 (sugar) + 0 (salt) + 0 (black pepper) + 0 (dill)

Total SmartPoints = 5

So, the total Smart Points for the ingredients in the recipe is 5