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Summer Potluck Dishes — This Dish Never Comes Home - A Bright, Crowd-Pleasing Salad

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Prep Time 20 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 8 servings
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

  • 4 cups cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
  • 3 cups fresh corn kernels (about 4 ears) or thawed frozen corn, patted dry
  • 2 cups diced English cucumber
  • 1 small red onion, finely chopped
  • 1 red bell pepper, diced
  • 1 ripe avocado, diced (add just before serving)
  • 3/4 cup crumbled feta cheese
  • 1/2 cup chopped fresh herbs (mix of basil and cilantro or parsley)
  • 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
  • 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice (or lemon)
  • 1 tablespoon red wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
  • 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
  • 1 clove garlic, finely grated
  • 1/2–3/4 teaspoon kosher salt, to taste
  • 1/2 teaspoon black pepper
  • 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes (optional)

Method
 

  1. Char the corn (optional but great): Heat a large skillet over medium-high. Add corn (no oil) and cook 4–6 minutes, stirring, until lightly charred. Cool completely. This adds smoky flavor and keeps the salad from tasting flat.
  2. Prep the veggies: Halve tomatoes, dice cucumber and bell pepper, and finely chop red onion. Pat everything dry with a towel so the salad doesn’t get watery.
  3. Mix the dressing: In a jar or bowl, whisk olive oil, lime juice, red wine vinegar, honey, Dijon, garlic, salt, pepper, and red pepper flakes until emulsified.
  4. Toss the base: In a large bowl, combine tomatoes, corn, cucumber, bell pepper, and red onion. Pour over about 3/4 of the dressing and toss gently. Let it sit 10–15 minutes so the flavors settle in.
  5. Add the finishing touches: Fold in the fresh herbs and crumbled feta. Taste and adjust salt, pepper, or acidity. Add more dressing if needed.
  6. Avocado last: Right before serving, gently fold in diced avocado and a small squeeze of lime to keep it bright.
  7. Serve: Transfer to a shallow bowl and garnish with extra herbs. It’s great chilled or at room temperature.