Cucumber tomato salad

 

 

Last night was my night to cook and with working these days I try to find things that taste good yet doesn't take me forever to prepare.  This is a quick light salad packed with lots of flavor.  I made bratwurst, roasted green beans and potato salad to go with this salad.  For dessert we had a selection of fruits.  Give this salad a try, I think you'll really enjoy it.

These photo's were taken with my new Canon camera, just love it.  Bought it for our trip to New Orleans, it takes wonderful pictures.  It's a canon S120.  Takes awesome video too.  Will share some of the pictures from New Orleans shortly.

Ingredients

3 tablespoons white wine vinegar
2 tablespoons olive oil
1 teaspoon sugar
3 cucumbers, peeled and thinly sliced (about 2 lbs)
1 (10 oz) container grape tomatoes, sliced in half
1/2 medium Vidalia onion, very thinly sliced into half moons
2 tablespoons dill, chopped
kosher salt, to taste
black pepper, freshly ground, to taste


In a large bowl, whisk together the vinegar, olive oil and sugar.

Slice the onions and place them in a bowl with ice and water, let soak for about 10 minutes, this will take the bite out of them.  Peel the cucumbers, cut in half and then scoop out the seeds.  Slice.  I cut the cherry tomatoes in circles.

Toss in the cucumbers, tomatoes, onion and dill, and season with salt and pepper. Let marinate at room temperature for 20 minutes before serving.

Thanks for stopping by, have a wonderful weekend and Always rememeber to Find the Time to Do ALL the Things YOU L♥ve.
D♥nna

Loaded Shrimp Salad with Strawberry Poppy Seed Vinaigrette

I've been on a salad kick lately and have been trying to come up with different types and new salads and salad dressing.  The dressing I put on this salad was Strawberry Poppy Seed and boy was it delicious.  I found it on pinterest here.
I really like the salad dressing they use a First Watch Restaurant but could not find a copy kat of it.   Will continue to look and will try some other new dressing and will share of course.  :)


Salad:
All items are chopped
4 large leaves Roman lettuce, chopped
2 large strawberries
1/2 delicious apple
6 red seedless grapes
1/4 large cucumber
small wedge of red cabbage
1/2 stalk celery
1 small carrot
2 TBL chopped almonds
6 large cooked, peeled and deveined shrimp

Strawberry Poppy Seed Vinaigrette

2/3 cup olive oil
1/2 cup sugar
2 TBL honey
1 tsp salt
1/2 cup white distilled vinegar
pepper
3 tsp. poppy seeds
8 strawberries
1/4 of a large red onion
2 cloves garlic

Put all ingredients in food processor.  When well mixed put in jar and refrigerate until ready to use.  Should give it at least an hour to meld the flavors.
This salad was so refreshing and would be wonderful on a hot summer day.  I also made this with grilled chicken also excellent.
Thanks for stopping by.  Have a wonderful day and Remember to Find the Time to Do all the things YOU Love.
Donna

Lime Basil Chicken Salad

I wanted to make some chicken salad but didn't want the same ole plain stuff.  SO I changed it up a bit.  I have a wonderful herb garden this year and just love to be able to use those great herbs in my cooking.  Hope you try this, it's fairly quick and doesn't have to many ingredients.  The roll is homemade too and the recipe can be found here, just shape them into rolls instead of bread loaves.
Printable
Ingredients:
4 boneless, skinless chicken breasts
2 limes
1/4 cup olive oil
1 TBL dried minced onion
3 cloves garlic, minced
1/4 cup chopped fresh basil
salt and pepper
1/2 lb. red seedless grapes, cut in half
2 celery ribs, diced
1/3 cup chopped pecans
1/2 cup mayo
3 TBL sour cream
**optional  pineapple chunks**

Directions:
Zest the two limes into  a medium bowl squeeze the lime juice into the bowl, add oil, garlic and onion.  Mix in the olive oil and then add the chopped basil salt and pepper.   Stir and then take a large plastic zip bag put in the chicken and pour the mixture over it.   Be sure to get all the pieces coated.  Marinate in refrigerator for about 2 hours, can leave overnight.

Heat your grille, I use this kind on my stove

Cook chicken and when done (juices run clear or inside temp is 170) cool and then cut into chunks.  In a large bowl combine all ingredients, mix well.  You can serve then or chill and serve.

We had these on a sandwich but you could have it as a main dish with the pasta salad from previous post.
Thanks for stopping by, have a wonderful day and Remember to Find the Time to Do ALL the things YOU love.
Donna

Salsa Verde Burgers

I recently came across this ingredient and have used it in several recipes.  It gives a very nice added spice to food and dressings.  Give it a try.  Sunday night I was craving grilled hamburgers so I decided to try this in them along with some sauteed onions and garlic, they all came together nicely and the flavor was nice and the salsa made the burgers very moist (another added plus).  My family loves cheese so they also had American White Cheese added.  I served these on homemade burger buns made from this recipe along with my macaroni salad and a green salad. (tomatoes from the garden)

Ingredients:
1- 1 1/2 lbs. ground beef
1 can Salsa Verde
1/2 Sweet Onion diced and sauteed
1 clove garlic (for cooking with onions)
salt and pepper

Take enough meat to make the size patty you want, flatten then add about 1 TBL salsa verde and 1 TBL onions.  Mix and form the patty (it will be very moist).  Grille and when just about ready add cheese if desired.  You can add additional onions and salsa if you want.  Enjoy

I'll be posting a raspberry pineapple muffin recipe tomorrow with pictures of Michael the new chef.
Have a wonderful day and always Remember to Find the Time to Do all the Things You  Love.
Donna