Cucumbers are just coming into season. Summer cucumbers are a staple in salads. Here's a few recipes using cucumbers that will also give you a jump start on tackling June's Challenge. Click here to remind yourself of June's Challenge.
So easy and so good.
Tomato, Cucumber, Basil Salad
- 4 tomato, quartered and sliced
- 1 cucumber, peeled, quartered, and sliced
- ½ cup fresh basil leaves
- 4 tbsp. balsamic vinegar
- pepper, to taste
Arrange the cucumber and tomato in a flat bowl. Add the basil leaves, dress with balsamic vinegar, and sprinkle with fresh cracked black pepper.
Mines in the fridge waiting for dinner.
Summer Salsa
- 1 cucumber (diced)
- 1 tomato (diced or chopped)
- ½ onion (chopped)
- ½ cup chopped fresh parsley or cilantro
- ¼ to ½ teaspoon diced jarred jalapenos (optional)
Toss all the ingredients in a bowl, mix and eat!
It says jalapenos are optional but I don't think so. This one is on the menu for later in the week.
Greek Cucumber Salad (a meal all by itself)
- ½ cup olive oil
- 1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon garlic pepper
- 1 15- ounce cans quartered artichoke hearts, drained
- 1 can olives , sliced
- 4 cucumber , cut into 3/8" slices
- 1 red onion , thinly sliced
- 1 cup crumbled feta cheese
- 1 avocado sliced
- 1 can of chickpeas, drained
- 1/4 cup of chopped chives
You can add some olive oil to this recipe. I didn't because the artichokes were in an olive oil base.
I'm tempted to make this again. Dean said it was a meal all in itself. I had my Greek Salad on Papa Dean's Microgreens. Next time I'll take a picture.
Watermelon Cucumber Salad
- 1/4 cup olive oil
- 2 tbsp. red wine vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 3 c. cubed seedless watermelon
- 1 cup cucumber, chopped
- 1 cup feta, crumbled
- 1/2 cup red onion, thinly sliced
- 1/2 cup mint, chopped coarsely plus more for garish
In a small bowl, whisk together oil, vinegar, and salt. In a large serving bowl, combine watermelon, cucumber, feta, red onion, and mint. Add dressing and toss to coat. Garnish with more mint. I put this salad on top of Papa Dean's Microgreens, of course.
Getting in vegetables doesn't have to be complicated. Add some to your plate and then add a few more. The more the merrier and the happier and healthier you'll be.
Enjoy good food,
Coach Nancy