CUCUMBER SLAW

image courtesy of Taste of H*me site

I love having the time to try new recipes and yesterday was one of those times!

Here in eastern NY we have had some very nice weather this month.  In fact, the last two days have been cool but humid with rain which we badly need.  I decided to make a refreshing cucumber salad I saw in a recent copy of a cooking magazine someone gifted me with.

The recipe is  titled Cucumber Crunch Coleslaw but I tweaked it a bit with ingredients we had on hand.  It's perfect for a summer meal. I've renamed mine Cucumber Slaw.

CUCUMBER SLAW

2 English Cucumbers, julienned

2 c. fresh baby spinach or spinach-spring mix, gently torn

1 c. fresh snow peas, cut into pieces 

1/2 c. sliced almonds

1 c. dried cranberries (optional)

• In a large bowl, combine the cucumbers (I used a veggie slicer that has an attachment for julienned veggies) and greens.  
• Toss in the snowpeas and almonds and gently toss.
• JUST BEFORE SERVNING, DRIZZLE THE DRESSING over the salad and serve chilled.

DRESSING

1/3 c. olive oil

1/4 c. sparkling orange water or dry white wine

1 Tablespoon of minced fresh basil

1 Tablespoon of lime juice

1/4 tsp red pepper flakes

1 tsp raw sugar

1 garlic clove, minced

dash of sea salt

1 tsp of grated lime zest

dash of cracked black pepper

(please note: the original recipe calls for molasses and fresh mint along with a serrano pepper....I chose to leave those out as I didn't have the ingredients and just replaced with the red pepper flakes and i didn't feel like the dressing needed molasses!)

• In a small bowl or right in a glass shaker, combine all the dressing ingredients.  
• Shake well!
• Chill, and upon serving dinner, simply drizzle over the salad or allow each person to add their own to their specifications.

DINNER MENU:  

Ziti with Earth Balance butter and 2 tablespoons of Italian seasonings

Steamed Peas

Cucumber Slaw

Note:  If you want to add in protein to your meal, simply toss into the pasta dish a cup of rinsed, drained black beans or chopped cooked/browned tofu

You can also serve the salad as is and add a loaf of garlic bread.

Another dinner option:  the Cucumber Slaw and Grilled Salmon or Chicken

ENJOY!!

as with all the posts under the faithfixes label, you do have permission to print/copy this recipe.