Asian Cucumber and Carrot Salad

This recipe is so delicious and easy. It reminds me of the light cucumber salads I have eaten at Thai restaurants. I found it on Pinterest, but here is the original link.

Asian Cucumber and Carrot Salad

1 large cucumber, thinly sliced (I use an English cucumber.)

1 large carrot, julienned

1 tablespoon grape seed oil

2 tablespoons rice vinegar

1 teaspoon sesame seed oil

2 teaspoons sugar

2 teaspoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds

Combine the cucumbers and carrots in a bowl and set aside.

In another bowl, whisk together the grape seed oil, rice vinegar, sesame seed oil, sugar, and soy sauce.

Toss the cucumbers and carrots with the dressing. Fold in the sesame seeds. Chill for 20 minutes or up to overnight. Serves about 4.

Cucumber Salad with Radish and Dill

"It tastes like spring," my daughter said when we gave this salad a try. I wished I had doubled the recipe because it disappeared so quickly. It is originally from Martha Stewart and you can print it here.

Cucumber Salad with Radish and Dill

1 English cucumber or 3 kirby cucumbers, halved lengthwise, seeded, and thinly sliced

4 large radishes (about 6 ounces), thinly sliced

Zest of 1 lemon, plus 2 tablespoons fresh lemon juice (1 lemon total)

6 ounces feta cheese, coarsely crumbled (about 1 1/2 cups)

2 tablespoons white wine vinegar

1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh dill, plus more, torn, for garnish

1/2 teaspoon sugar

1 garlic clove, crushed with the flat side of a large knife

Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon olive oil

1. Put cucumber, radishes, and lemon zest in a medium bowl. Add cheese.

2. Make the vinaigrette: Whisk together lemon juice, vinegar, dill, sugar, and garlic in another medium bowl; season with salt and pepper. Whisk until the sugar has dissolved. Whisk in the oil in a slow, steady stream until emulsified.

3. Add vinaigrette to cucumber mixture; toss well. Garnish with dill. Discard garlic clove before serving. Refrigerate salad in an airtight container (or store in a chilled cooler) up to 1 hour.

Serves 4 to 6

Tomato-Chicken Salad

This salad is perfect for late summer when all the vegetables and herbs are fresh from the garden. It was a big hit with my family--definitely a keeper. I found the recipe in Southern Living last year. You can print it here.

Tomato-Chicken Salad

Preheat grill to 400˚ to 450˚ (high) heat. Rub 6 (1-inch-thick) ciabatta or French bead baguette slices with a garlic clove; brush with extra virgin olive oil. Grill bread 1 to 2 minutes on each side or until toasted.

1 lemon
2 lb. assorted tomatoes, halved or chopped
3 cups chopped cooked chicken
1 large English cucumber, sliced
1/2 cup chopped fresh flat-leaf parsley
1/4 cup sliced green onion
1/4 cup loosely packed fresh basil leaves
2 Tbsp. olive oil
1 tsp. salt
1/2 tsp. freshly ground pepper
1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese

Grate zest from lemon to equal 2 tsp.; squeeze juice from lemon to equal 2 Tbsp. Combine lemon zest, juice, tomatoes, and next 8 ingredients in a large bowl. Let stand 10 minutes. Toss with crumbled feta just before serving.

Julie's Note: I toasted the ciabatta in the oven for a few minutes rather than on the grill.



  

Cucumber, Mustard, and Dill Salad

Rachel found this recipe in Gourmet magazine. I gave it a try last week and it is fabulous--a new family favorite. It's so quick to put together, and I love the fresh dill. I'm definitely doubling it next time, though.

Cucumber, Mustard, and Dill Salad

2 teaspoons white-wine vinegar
2 teaspoons Dijon mustard
1/2 teaspoon salt, or to taste
1 1/2 teaspoons sugar
1 tablespoon mild olive oil
1 large seedless cucumber (usually plastic-wrapped; 1 lb.), peeled
2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill

Whisk together vinegar, mustard, salt, and sugar in a bowl, then add oil in a slow stream, whisking.

Halve cucumber lengthwise and remove seeds with a small spoon, then cut halves crosswise into 1/8-inch-thick slices.

Add cucumber and dill to vinaigrette, tossing to coat.

Serves 4

Julie's Note: You can print the recipe here.

  

Cucumbers in Sour Cream

Cucumbers in Sour Cream Sauce

3 medium cucumbers
1/2 pint dairy sour cream (1 cup)
1/4 cup chopped green onions
1 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons white vinegar
3/4 teaspoon sugar
Freshly ground black pepper to taste
Fresh Dill

Peel cucumbers. Slice into thin rounds. Place slices in a strainer and let drain 1 hour or longer. In a medium bowl, mix remaining ingredients. Add cucumbers and toss lightly. Refrigerate 1 hour before serving or up to 8 hours. Makes 6 to 8 servings.

Cucumbers in Rice Vinegar

This is the simplest of side dishes and one my mom made often when I was growing up. She used regular white vinegar, though, until my grandmother introduced us to rice vinegar. We like the Marukan brand the best and always the seasoned variety.

Cucumbers in Rice Vinegar

cucumbers (peeled and sliced)

rice vinegar

dill (fresh or dried)

We often add thinly sliced rings of sweet onions as well. So delicious!