Cucumber Tomato Salad
You Need:
- 2 cucumbers, peeled and chopped
- 1 tomato, chopped
- 2 small red onions, sliced thinly
- Balsamic vinegar or apple cider vinegar
- 1/2 tsp of basil
- 1/2 tsp of thyme
- 1/2 tsp of parsley
Cucumber Bulgur Salad
Directions:
1. Prepare 1 cup bulgur.
2. Mix with 2 chopped cucumbers, a small bunch of chopped chives, the juice of half a lemon, 2 tablespoons of olive oil, and 1 teaspoon of red-wine vinegar.
Gazpacho
You Need:
- 1 cucumber
- 1 green bell pepper, seeded and finely chopped
- 6-7 tomatoes, peeled and quartered
- 1 onion coarsely chopped
- 2-3 garlic cloves, crushed
- 3 tbsp olive oil
- 2 tbsp white vinegar
- 1-2 tbsp lemon or lime juice
- 2-3 cups tomato juice
- cilantro, salt and pepper to taste
Directions:
1. Coarsely grate cucumber into a large bowl and add chopped green pepper.
2. Process tomatoes, onion and garlic in a food processor or blender, then add oil, vinegar, lemon or lime juice and process until smooth.
3. Add tomato mixture to the bowl and mix well, then add tomato juice and mix again.
4. Season to taste, cover the bowl with plastic wrap and chill thoroughly (six hours).
5. Serve with chopped green bell pepper and garlic croutons
North African Rice Salad
You Need:
- 1 1/2 cups brown basmati or other rice (cooked and cooled)
- 2 med. cucumbers, peeled and cut into 1/2 inch dice (small seeded or seedless are best)
- 2 tablespoons grated lemon peel (from 2 large lemons)
- 1/4 cup golden (or regular) raisins
- 3 small bananas, peeled and diced, and combined with 1 T. lemon juice
- 1/4 cup sliced almonds, toasted
- 2 tablespoons snipped fresh chives
Directions:
1. To cook rice: Measure the rice into a strainer and rinse with cold water. Combine one part rice to two parts cold water in a saucepan. Bring to a boil, reduce heat to simmer, and cover. Simmer the rice just until all water is absorbed, about 25 minutes, then remove from heat and let sit covered 30 minutes. Then cool uncovered until ready to use.
2. To make salad: Combine cooled rice, cucumbers, lemon peel, and raisins in a large bowl. In a jar or measuring cup, combine the dressing ingredients thoroughly and pour over rice mixture, combine mixture thoroughly. Add bananas, nuts, and chives and gently combine again until thoroughly mixed. Chill for one hour before serving.
Pressed Cucumber Salad
You Need:
- Cucumbers, sliced paper thin
- 1/2 tsp. salt in 1 cup of water
- pinch of dill
Directions:
1. Soak cucumbers in brine 30 minutes.
2. Drain and dry slightly by pressing slices between paper towels.
3. Sprinkle with dill and serve.
Pasta Salad
You Need:
Dressing:
- 4 T extra virgin olive oil
- 6 T balsamic vinegar
- 2 large cloves garlic, minced
- 2 t salt
- 1/2 t freshly ground pepper
- 1 T brown sugar
- 2 1/2 T country dijon prepared mustard
- 1/4 t garlic powder
Pasta:
12 oz spiral pasta, cooked, rinsed in cold water and drained.
Vegetables:
- 1 medium onion, chopped fine
- 1 large cucumber, peeled, seeds removed, chopped
- 1 green pepper, chopped
- 1 tomato, seeded, chopped
- 2 carrots, grated
Directions:
Pour dressing over pasta, add vegetables, garnish with feta cheese.
Please Note: I have collected these recipes from various sources, and haven't had the chance to try them all. - Emily McDonald