German cuisine · Salads & Mezze

Cheese Salad with Onions

Strips of Gouda and Emmental with red onions, pickled gherkin and a robust vinegar-oil marinade.

Ingredients · for 4 servings

• 250 g young Gouda, in one piece
• 200 g Emmental, in one piece
• 2 red onions
• 2 pickled gherkins
• 4 tbsp white wine vinegar
• 6 tbsp sunflower oil
• 1 tsp medium-hot mustard
• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/2 bunch chives
• Salt, pepper

Instructions

1. Remove the rind from the Gouda and Emmental and cut into finger-length strips about 5 mm thick – even strips absorb the marinade best.
2. Slice the red onions into paper-thin rings and cut the gherkins lengthwise into fine sticks.
3. Whisk vinegar, mustard, sugar, salt and pepper in a bowl until the salt and sugar have dissolved, then slowly whisk in the oil.
4. Add the cheese, onion rings and gherkin sticks to the marinade and mix gently so the strips don't break.
5. Cover and let the salad sit at room temperature for at least 15 min. – cold from the fridge the cheese tastes bland.
6. Sprinkle with chive rings, taste again and serve with fresh farmhouse bread as a light meal.