Imagine crisp, tart green apple slices mingling with cool cucumber ribbons, nestled against folds of silky smoked salmon and dotted with soft, milky pearls of Galbani mozzarella. Then imagine all that tied together with a citrusy olive oil dressing, maybe even a hint of fennel or fresh dill if you’re feeling extra. It’s not just a salad. it’s a summer plate that hits every sensory note: salty, creamy, crunchy, zesty.
Nigella’s genius as always, is in the composition. She doesn’t drown things in dressing or overthink pairings. She trusts the ingredients to sing and they do. This dish feels like the culinary version of slipping into cool linen sheets after a sun-soaked day at the beach.
Nigella Smoked Salmon Green Apple Cucumber Galbani Mozzarella Salad Recipe
Ingredients Needed
Here’s what you’ll need to pull this off. don’t skimp on quality. When the ingredient list is this short, every element matters.
- Smoked salmon – about 150-200g; look for silky, thick-cut slices, ideally something gently smoked, not too aggressive.
- 1 crisp green apple. Granny Smith is the classic but I once tried it with a Mutsu and nearly cried.
- 1/2 cucumber – English cucumber is best for its tenderness and lack of seeds.
- Galbani mozzarella pearls – or you can tear up a fresh mozzarella ball into bite-sized chunks.
- Juice of 1 lemon. you want it fresh, tart and bright.
- Extra virgin olive oil. go for something grassy and bold.
- Fresh dill or fennel fronds (optional). but they really elevate the dish.
- Salt and pepper – flaky salt is a good call here.
Optional: a pinch of lemon zest or a little squeeze of honey if your apple leans too sharp.
Equipment Needed
No fancy gadgets-Nigella wouldn’t ask that of us.
- A good knife – for slicing your apple and cucumber paper thin.
- A vegetable peeler or mandoline. for perfect cucumber ribbons.
- A mixing bowl – or plate, really. You can assemble it directly.
- A citrus juicer or just your hands.
- Your fingers – seriously, assembling this salad feels more like styling a still-life than tossing greens in a bowl.
👩🍳 Instructions To Make Nigella Lawson’s Salad (With My Little Tweaks)
-
Prep your produce
Core the green apple and slice it thinly-like, whisper-thin. I like to leave the skin on for color and crunch. Toss the slices in half of the lemon juice right away so they don’t brown.
-
Cucumber next
Use a vegetable peeler or mandoline to create long, silky ribbons. Pat them dry if they feel watery.
-
Mozzarella pearls
Drain and gently pat dry. If using a ball, tear it into small clouds. Don’t slice it-it’s nicer when it feels pulled apart by hand.
-
Arrange the plate
Lay down the cucumber ribbons and apple slices like petals on a plate. Drape the smoked salmon around, not too tightly. Scatter mozzarella over the top like edible snowdrops.
-
Dress the salad
Whisk the remaining lemon juice with about 2 tablespoons of olive oil, salt, pepper and chopped dill or fennel fronds if using. Drizzle generously.
-
Final touch
If you’ve got lemon zest, now’s the time. Just a pinch over the top wakes everything up.
Then just look at it for a second. this salad is so pretty it almost feels wrong to eat it.
What I Learnt
This dish taught me how restraint in the kitchen can be more powerful than piling on flavors. Normally I’m a maximalist. think pine nuts, croutons, vinaigrettes with mustard and three herbs. but here, everything breathes. The salt from the salmon, the sharpness of the apple, the cucumber’s mellow crunch and that gentle lactic softness of the mozzarella… they all respect each other.
I also realized how much the cut of each ingredient matters. If I’d chunked up the apple or diced the cucumber, this would’ve been clunky. Keeping everything thin and silky transformed it into something almost ethereal.
And perhaps most of all, I was reminded how vital it is to listen to my own palate. The first time I made this, the lemon hit a bit sharp for me. so next time, I added a dot of honey and it was perfect. Recipes are guides. Your taste is the compass.
FAQs
Can I Use A Different Type Of Cheese Instead Of Galbani Mozzarella For This Salad?
Absolutely! While Galbani mozzarella gives that creamy, delicate texture, you could try a mild goat cheese or even ricotta for a different twist. Just be sure to keep the cheese light and creamy to balance the freshness of the apples and cucumbers.
How Can I Make This Salad Ahead Of Time?
You can prep all the ingredients ahead-slice the apples and cucumbers, and even tear the smoked salmon. Just keep everything separate in the fridge. Toss everything together right before serving to avoid the salad getting soggy. It’s one of those recipes that just gets better when fresh, so timing is key!
What’s A Good Substitute For Smoked Salmon If I Don’t Have Any?
If you’re not a fan of smoked salmon, or it’s not available, try using gravlax, which has a similar flavor. Or, for something less fishy, grilled chicken or even a handful of roasted nuts can add a nice contrast of flavors while keeping the salad light.
