Cucumber Salad with Tomato Vinaigrette
Today is very hot here in the Delta region of Northern California. We get lots and lots of days over 90 degrees Fahrenheit from
June through September, and on those days, salad is what's on my menu.
This year I am growing two varieties of tomaotes in my garden, and they are producing way more fruit than I have ever yeilded before. We've had salad caprese, tomato sandwiches, salsa crudo, pico de gallo, pasta primavera, gaspacho, tomato and basil soup (with delicious garlic croutons), etc..You'd think, by now, that we'd be tired of tomatoes, but no! These gems of yumminess only grow in my garden for a few months each year, so I just keep coming up with new ways to use them.
Lately, I've also been getting a lot of produce from neighbors and friends. Someone just gave me a a bucket load of cuckes. I decided to make a wonderful salad that I am expecially fond of that also calls for tomatoes in vinaigrette form.
I tossed this dressing with some cucumber "noodles", fresh Parmesan
Reggiano, and grated carrots for texture and sweetness. Here is the
recipe:
Cucumber Salad with Tomato Vinaigrette
for the dressing:
3 medium tomatoes-quartered
2-3 Tbs. sugar
1 Tbs. Kosher(or table or sea) salt
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
1 clove garlic-peeled
1/2 cup very good quality olive oil
4-5 basil leaves minced
Pepper to taste
Put the first 5 ingredients into a blender. Puree the hell out of it for about 3 minutes. With the machine running drizzle the oil through the chute. Once you have all the olive oil in the dressing, pour it into a medium bowl and add the basil, stir gently and allow to stand at room temperature for about 15 minutes before using. Taste adjust the salt and sugar-and add pepper.
For the salad:
1 cucumber (any kind)
1 small carrot peeled and grated
5 lettuce leaves
Parmesan Cheese-shaved
Using a wide veggie peeler slice your cuke into 'ribbons'. Arrange the lettuce on the bottom of a large dinner plate. gently toss the cukes, carrots, and cheese together and add a little dressing. Toss very gently and arrange on the lettuce leaves. Serve garnished with more cheese and carrots on top.
OTHER USES FOR TOMATO DRESSING
1. Dressing for pasta salad
2. drizzle over brochette
3. mix in a few capers and spoon over grilled seafood, chicken, or pork
4. marinade for poultry or pork
5. mix 1 Tbs into 1/4 cup mayo and use as tomato mayonnaise
The possibilities are endless!!!!
This year I am growing two varieties of tomaotes in my garden, and they are producing way more fruit than I have ever yeilded before. We've had salad caprese, tomato sandwiches, salsa crudo, pico de gallo, pasta primavera, gaspacho, tomato and basil soup (with delicious garlic croutons), etc..You'd think, by now, that we'd be tired of tomatoes, but no! These gems of yumminess only grow in my garden for a few months each year, so I just keep coming up with new ways to use them.
Lately, I've also been getting a lot of produce from neighbors and friends. Someone just gave me a a bucket load of cuckes. I decided to make a wonderful salad that I am expecially fond of that also calls for tomatoes in vinaigrette form.
Cucumber Salad with Tomato Vinaigrette
for the dressing:
3 medium tomatoes-quartered
2-3 Tbs. sugar
1 Tbs. Kosher(or table or sea) salt
1/4 cup rice wine vinegar
1 clove garlic-peeled
1/2 cup very good quality olive oil
4-5 basil leaves minced
Pepper to taste
Put the first 5 ingredients into a blender. Puree the hell out of it for about 3 minutes. With the machine running drizzle the oil through the chute. Once you have all the olive oil in the dressing, pour it into a medium bowl and add the basil, stir gently and allow to stand at room temperature for about 15 minutes before using. Taste adjust the salt and sugar-and add pepper.
For the salad:
1 cucumber (any kind)
1 small carrot peeled and grated
5 lettuce leaves
Parmesan Cheese-shaved
Using a wide veggie peeler slice your cuke into 'ribbons'. Arrange the lettuce on the bottom of a large dinner plate. gently toss the cukes, carrots, and cheese together and add a little dressing. Toss very gently and arrange on the lettuce leaves. Serve garnished with more cheese and carrots on top.
OTHER USES FOR TOMATO DRESSING
1. Dressing for pasta salad
2. drizzle over brochette
3. mix in a few capers and spoon over grilled seafood, chicken, or pork
4. marinade for poultry or pork
5. mix 1 Tbs into 1/4 cup mayo and use as tomato mayonnaise
The possibilities are endless!!!!
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