Enjoy the flavors of summer with this light and refreshing cucumber tomato salad!

(makes 4-6 servings)

Ingredients

1 pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved

1 seedless or English cucumber, diced medium

1 package (8oz) mozzarella pearls, or 8oz mozzarella cheese, diced medium

¾ cup olive oil

¼ cup balsamic vinegar

Salt, pepper, and (optional) cayenne pepper, to taste

1-2 tablespoons spicy or Creole mustard

4-5 leaves fresh basil, rolled tightly and sliced into thin ribbons

Instructions

Place tomatoes, cucumber, and mozzarella cheese into a large mixing bowl.

Place olive oil, vinegar, seasonings, and spicy mustard into a pint jar with a tight lid.  Cover and shake until emulsified.

Drizzle a few tablespoons vinaigrette over cucumber-tomato mixture, and stir until combined.  (Reserve excess vinaigrette for another use).

Garnish with freshly sliced basil, and serve.