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Sunday, June 13, 2010

Cucumber Salad


This is so simple that it is not really even a recipe. You wouldn't think something so simple could taste so good but every summer when I find a bag of fresh from the garden cucumbers magically placed there by our garden fairy (AKA my sweet neighbor Miss Ann whom I strive to be like when I'm in my 80's still using my talents and gifts to bless others) I immediately start making this salad. My whole family gets excited about this salad and it's a great salad for those that don't normally care for salads. This salad is proof that even the simplest of  foods eaten in season are truly the tastiest and the most enjoyable!
Ingredients
5 medium cucumbers
2 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons white balsamic vinegar
1 pinch kosher salt
 few twists fresh ground black pepper
*optional: 5 fresh basil leaves torn into small pieces
Directions
Peel and slice the cucumbers into thin slices.
Place the cucumber slices in a bowl and add the vinegar, salt/pepper, and the basil leaves. Cover and let it sit for an hour before serving. This salad is best served at  room temperature.
Cucumber Tomato Salad
Add some thinly sliced tomatoes. Just note that you shouldn't add the salt until just before serving or else the tomatoes will release all of their juices leaving behind nothing but a "shell" of their former self!

According to Pliny the Elder the Roman Emperor Tiberius enjoyed a raw cucumber at his table every day!

1 comment:

young2 said...

My mom used to make this every summer when the cucumbers came in from the garden. One of my favorites. I was going to make last night... looks like it's calling my name today.