Black Pepper Free Basil-Pesto Radish & Cucumber Salad

Crisp cucumber rounds and paper-thin radish slices come together in a salad that's as vibrant to look at as it is to eat. The real star is a bright, herb-forward pesto made entirely from fresh basil, parsley, garlic, lemon juice, and good olive oil — no nuts, no cheese, and absolutely no black pepper anywhere in the recipe. That matters more than it sounds, because so many store-bought pestos and bottled dressings sneak in cracked pepper or pepper-derived seasonings that can catch you off guard. Here, every ingredient is straightforward and easy to verify, so you can dress this salad with total confidence. A quick salt-and-rest step draws out excess moisture from the vegetables first, which means the pesto clings beautifully instead of turning watery at the bottom of the bowl. The result is cool, crunchy, and herbaceous — the kind of side dish that disappears fast at a summer table. Torn fresh basil scattered over the top at the end keeps everything looking and tasting garden-fresh right up until serving.

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