Cool as a Cucumber

For no reason except that I feel like it, I thought I would start featuring one vegetable a week on my blog ;)

I love to buy veggies and make very simple things with them. Most nights I only have 20-30 minutes to prepare dinner, and even when I have more time, my gourmet cooking days are over, now that I have two little helpers in the kitchen at all times.

SO this week's vegetable is the cucumber. Cucumbers are 96% water, but contain vital minerals and are rich in potassium. In honor of warm weather (which teased us this weekend, but is gone again) I wanted to share two very simple things we like to make with cucumbers (plus one more that almost resembles a real recipe).

For one of our favorite summer salads, I peel several (my kids will each eat about one whole one!) cucumbers, then cut them up into little squares. I sprinkle some vinegar on top (my favorite is Trader Joe's rice wine vinegar, but a good salad vinegar would do), toss, and then refigerate until ready to serve. This is cold and yummy!

Equally refreshing, I will wash a cucumber very well (and, if possible, buy organic) and then slice it and throw the slices in a pitcher of water, which I keep in the fridge. In the summer we go through about a pitcher a day.

For a slightly more substantial salad, I will throw peeled cucumber slices in some boston lettuce (also known as Bibb lettuce or butter lettuce) and then make a simple oil and vinegar dressing (1 part vinegar, 1.5 parts olive oil, fresh pepper) and toss.

I especially like these fresh, light salads to go with heavy meals, like lasagna. Enjoy!