Ah, the delicate balance of fresh cucumber and feta salad paired with coffee mousse—because why not combine light greens with decadent dessert? The salad is crisp and tangy, almost pretending to be a health-conscious choice, while the mousse unapologetically sways into indulgence. It’s the kind of dish that makes you feel vaguely virtuous, yet totally sinful. You’ll convince yourself the salad offsets the mousse—if only in the universe of your plate. Go ahead, take the leap into this perfect contradiction. It’s refreshment and dessert all in one bite.
Cucumber and Feta Salad with Coffee Mousse
This combination of crisp cucumber and feta salad, topped with luxurious coffee mousse, is the ultimate balancing act between light and indulgent.
Ingredients
For the Cucumber and Feta Salad:
- 2 medium cucumbers thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1/4 cup red onion finely chopped
- 1 tbsp olive oil
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
- Salt and pepper to taste
- Fresh dill for garnish optional
For the Coffee Mousse:
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/4 cup strong brewed coffee cooled
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/2 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips
- 1/2 cup mascarpone cheese
Instructions
For the Cucumber and Feta Salad:
- Thinly slice the cucumbers and red onion.
- In a bowl, toss cucumber, feta, and red onion together.
- Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice.
- Season with salt, pepper, and garnish with dill. Chill until ready to serve.
For the Coffee Mousse:
- In a small saucepan, melt the chocolate chips with brewed coffee over low heat.
- Remove from heat and let it cool slightly.
- In a separate bowl, whisk heavy cream, sugar, and vanilla until soft peaks form.
- Gently fold the mascarpone into the whipped cream.
- Add the chocolate-coffee mixture and fold until combined.
- Spoon into serving dishes and chill in the fridge for at least an hour.
Notes
Nutritional Values (Per Serving)
Calories: 300Total Fat: 22g
Saturated Fat: 13g
Carbohydrates: 22g
Fiber: 2g
Protein: 6g
Vitamins and Minerals (Per Serving)
- Vitamin A: 8%
- Calcium: 6%
- Iron: 4%
- Vitamin C: 6%
- Magnesium: 4%
Additional Notes/Tips
- For a richer mousse, try adding a splash of coffee liqueur to the mix.
- The salad can be made a few hours ahead of time, but don’t add the dressing until just before serving.
- Feel free to switch out the feta for goat cheese if you’re feeling a little adventurous.
- If you like a stronger coffee flavor, adjust the coffee amount in the mousse to taste.
