With the hot and sticky weather upon us, I try not to heat up the kitchen unnecessarily. Even with ac running, the kitchen can get warm. Since we don't own a gas grill or any grill for that matter (every year we say we're going to buy a gas grill at the end of the summer, but we've been saying that for oh, some 15 years? never gotten around to it), I enjoy making cold salads and such for the summer. I thought I'd do a few posts next week about Summer Cooking, but rather than wait for next week to begin...here's a quick cold salad to enjoy.
Summer Cooking: Cucumber & Onion Salad.
This is great as-is. It accompanied homemade pulled pork sandwiches recently, and I can easily see it atop a pile of fresh lettuce leaves or a cracker spread with cream cheese. 
It's simple and refreshing and has a pickled taste to it (minus the overly salty brine). I left the skin on the cucumbers which gives them more snap, in my opinion. However, next time I make this, I will make the slices thinner and possibly add more onion. 
I'm also thinking of adding in more fresh dill. Yes, I brought some dill into the house from our garden (pots on the back deck) partly for decoration, and partly because it was beginning to bolt. Dill flowers are so pretty, but I'm hoping to stave off anymore bolting by moving the plant into the shade or at least snipping off the flowers.
Cucumber & Onion Salad
printable version
2 largish cucumbers
1 large sweet onion
1 tsp sugar
pinch salt
fresh ground pepper (to your liking)
2+ Tbsp fresh dill, snipped
4 Tbsp olive oil
3 Tbsp vinegar* (cider, rice, white wine)
sour cream, labne (kefir cheese), ricotta, plain Greek yogurt (opt)
Cut cucumbers in half lengthwise & scoop out seeds with a spoon. (If paring cukes, do so before cutting). Slice onions very thin (1/8" or thinner). Cut onion in half then slice finely. Combine all in big bowl; mix well. Refrigerate, covered, for about 1 hour or overnight. I left it in overnight ~ I think it mellows the onion that way. Toss before serving. Top with a few dollops of sour cream, labne, ricotta or plain Greek yogurt if using.
*I can see this with lemon juice instead of vinegar and maybe some lemon zest.
If you'd like to join in with your Summer Cooking recipe,
just leave a comment with a link to your post.
