Happier Than A Pig In Mud: Cucumbers Overachieving? Need Ideas?

Wednesday, July 20, 2011

Cucumbers Overachieving? Need Ideas?

Hey everyone-It's that time of the summer when cukes are abundant so I thought I'd share some ideas! I tried a new (to me) recipe from Rachael Ray and like it a lot! Cucumber and Celery Salad. I love celery and it's not thought of as a main ingredient too often so it caught my eye. This is also a versatile salad, you can sub items and use what you have on hand.

Cucumber and Celery Salad-fresh salad

Add a tray of salami, cheese and crackers and I'd call this dinner!

Cucumber and Celery Salad

3 Tblsp pickle relish

2 Tblsp cider vinegar

3 Tblsp EVOO

1 Seedless cucumber quartered and sliced into 1/2" pieces (You can use a regular cuke, seed and peel it)

5 to 6 ribs of celery from the heart sliced into 1/2" pieces

1/4 C chopped hot or roasted red peppers or 1/2 small bell pepper, whichever you have on hand

1 small jar marinated mushrooms or artichoke hearts or 1 C pickled vegetable salad "giardiniera" chopped

S&P

Place relish in bottom of bowl and whisk in vinegar and EVOO. Add veggies, toss and add S&P to taste.

Notes:

I used homemade hot pepper relish, roasted red peppers and giardinera because that's what I had. The cauliflower broke up more than I would have liked.
Rachel's a big fan of the celery leaves, be sure to use them too.
I don't mind telling you, the bowl is sitting next to me as I type-it's very good:@)

Here are a few more things I've posted over the last couple summers-click title for recipe.

Thai Cucumber Pickles-fresh salad