Sweet Marinated Cucumbers

“I’m a vegan. I respect the environment and I do my best to spread the importance of such an issue.”

— Jared Leto

Jared told me that in an interview one time. We're pretty much BFFs. Okay, that might not be 100% factual, but the quote is.

I honestly don't recall where I first had these marinated cucumbers. It must have been at some holiday potluck or gathering. Cucumbers aren't really anything special to me and I hardly ever buy them (I just don't get the all commotion, plus they go bad so quickly!), so I was taken aback by how much I truly enjoyed this light side dish. Yet, vinegar delights me and I'm fairly certain I'm a sugar addict. Cucumbers are downright neutral so it's really no surprise why I enjoy these marinated 'cumbers so much. This dish is basically sugar and vinegar, let's be real. 

After I first tasted them I was on a mission from god to try and replicate what I had eaten. Of course, now I know this is a super common, kind of southern(?) side dish. Okay, so I might of made that one up but it sounds right. Right? Southern sounds right. Anyway, who knew?! I certainly never grew up eating it so I had no idea! Parading around like I'd discovered Narnia or something...what a fool. 

I've made this recipe several times and I use about 1/4 cup of vinegar and sugar, per cucumber. So no matter how many 'cumbers you want to marinate, that's a good ratio to start with. Three cucumbers might not seem like a whole lot, but this recipe makes enough for a crowd. I promise. 

Sweet Marinated Cucumbers

By Katie Henry - Produce On Parade

This dish is a perfect marriage of sour and sugary with notes from the delicate, herbed cucumber slices and sweet onion. A terrific way to use up all those beautiful cucumbers from the garden!

Ingredients

• 3/4 cup vegan granulated sugar
• 3/4 cup white vinegar
• 1 tsp. dill weed
• 3/4 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/4 heaping tsp. celery seeds
• 3 cucumbers, sliced
• 1/2 sweet onion, sliced

Instructions

1. In a large bowl, whisk together everything but the cucumbers and onion. Slice the veggies then add them to the bowl and stir well to coat. I like to press the cucumbers down so they are all submerged.
2. Allow to rest in fridge overnight if you can. Serve chilled using a slotted spoon.

Prep time: 5 minutes
Cook time: 00:00
Total time: 00:05
Yield: 6-8 servings

German Word of The Day

Cucumber --> Gurke (guhkin)

Good Deed of The Day

Share this new documentary trailer, Cowspiracy, with everyone. EVERYONE! 

Summer Corn, Avocado & Black Bean Salad

Did you see the article in the Washington Post about the study that was done at Harvard showing that red meat is possibly linked to breast cancer. It's my mammographer duty to show you why eating animal products/flesh is no bueno for your lady lumps. 

“Scientists suspect proteins in red meat speed up cell division and tumor growth; chemicals such as nitrates in processed meats are already classified as probable carcinogens.”

— The Washington Post

"Yummmm, more carcinogens please." Said no one ever. Don't take my word for it, take the Harvard researchers'. Read the article here. Moving on, guess what? It's time for our mandatory, weekly consumption of legumes! Are you as excited as me? Because you should be...

MMmmmmmm...plants. Especially, this veggie salad. Oh yum. You guys, I could eat this all week long.

This salad couldn't be easier to throw together. Halving all the cherry tomatoes isn't the quickest thing ever, but you can do that plate trick with them. You know, where you place a plate on top of a bunch of them and run a knife through? Have you done that? I have not. It seems like a lot of work...nope, I'll just take the 45 minutes it takes to slice them all individually. I'm pretty sure I would slice my hand off if I tried the plate trick. I cannot be trusted. Besides, slicing them all is kind of therapeutic. You know what I mean.

So make this dish and get some free therapy at the same time. It's great all on it's on, as a sort of dip with chips, or even in a pita! Fresh and vibrant with creamy avocado, sweet corn, tart cherry tomatoes, black beans, and cilantro all in a tangy lemon dressing, it's an excellent dish to bring to a gathering! Share with your friends and family and let them see how awesome and wholesome vegan food can be. Enjoy!

Summer Corn, Avocado & Black Bean Salad

By Kathleen Henry - Produce On Parade

This salad is great all on it's on, as a sort of dip with chips, or even in a pita! Fresh and vibrant with creamy avocado, sweet corn, tart cherry tomatoes, black beans, and cilantro all in a tangy lemon dressing, it's an excellent dish to bring to a gathering! Share with your friends and family and let them see how awesome and wholesome vegan food can be.

Ingredients

• 1 15 oz. can of sweet corn (it’s better than frozen, trust me)
• 40 cherry tomatoes, halved
• 1 15 oz. can of black beans, rinsed and drained
• 2 ripe avocados, diced
• 1 red onion, finely diced
• 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped (use the stems too!)
• 2 Tbsp. olive oil
• 1 lemon (or 2 limes), juiced
• 1-2 tsp. ground cumin, to taste
• 1/2 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

Instructions

1. Prep all the veggies and cilantro and add them to a large serving bowl. Toss well to combine.
2. In a small bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the oil through the black pepper and pour over the veggie mixture. Toss gently to coat evenly and allow to rest for at least 10 minutes.
3. Store in the fridge and serve alone, with chips, or in a pita!

Prep time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 0 minutes
Total time: 10 minutes
Yield: Serves a crowd

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Save Money!

I buy my ground cumin here.

It’s only $0.69 per ounce vs $3.60 per ounce at our local grocery store, Fred Meyer!

More Salads and Sides

Southwestern Avocado Ranch Salad

Italian Potato Salad

Warm Balsamic Barley Salad

Thai Cabbage Salad

German Word of The Day

Gathering --> Zusammenkunft (pronounced: sue-summonkunft)

Good Deed of The Day

Today, make a conscious effort to not be negative towards yourself. Like, duh right? But no! It seriously takes some work not to throw little jabs at yourself! There are enough people in the word that can be cruel to you...don't let yourself be one of them. Love yourself!

Italian Potato Salad

Sweet baby jesus you guys. I finally, finally got DISQUS (the comment platform) to work on my new site. I seriously teared up with joy when I saw it was finally working. This has been a giant source of frustration over the last week and I am so, so, so incredibly elated it's finally working. Now I can share posts! Gah! Why did I switch hosts again?? 

Now to the good stuff. If there's one thing that sings "Summer!" for me, it might just have to be...potato salad. Is that weird? My dad had the rare ability to make the most rockin' potato salad around (for some reason I only recall it's existence around warmer temperatures) and I feel like I might have (fingers crossed) inherited said gift from him.

Some people might be all like, "It's potato salad, big whoop. Anyone can whip up a potato salad!" I beg to differ. And in a few short words, I'll tell you why. Most potato salad is either soaking in way too much liquid or is as dry as a bone. Sometimes it's completely lacking in flavor. More often than not, it's mostly just a whole lotta mayonnaise with some mushy potatoes and a little veggies thrown in just so you know you're not just consuming a potato and mayonnaise smoothie...yep, in my experience most potato salad straight-up sucks. 

I won't even discuss store-bought potato salad. I just won't. 

Stop eating potato and mayonnaise smoothies. I've come to save you from the potato salads that haunt your dreams. I'd like to start off by noting that  this salad is completely mayo-free. Instead, it's dressed in a beautiful herbed olive oil and fresh lemon juice dressing. Tender baby red potatoes, crunchy celery, tart capers, salty Kalamata olives, and juicy cherry tomatoes mingle with fresh basil and parsley to make the truly simplest and most lovely potato salad you've ever had. 

Italian Potato Salad

Serves 4-6

Ingredients:

• Salad:
• 3 lbs. baby red potatoes, unpeeled and quartered or halved
• 1 cup cherry tomatoes, halved
• 6 celery stalks, sliced
• 3 Tbsp. capers, drained
• 1 small red onion, halved and thinly sliced
• 16 pitted Kalamata olives, halved
• 1/4 cup fresh basil, chiffonade
• 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chiffonade
• Dressing:
• 1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 large lemon, juiced
• 1 tsp. dried Italian herb seasoning
• 1/2 tsp. salt
• 1/2 tsp. ground black pepper

Instructions:

Start by bringing a very large pot of salted water to a boil over high heat. Meanwhile wash and scrub the potatoes of any dirt. If the potatoes are on the larger side, cut or quarter them. Once the water reaches a rapid boil, add the potatoes. Boil for about 20 minutes, until tender when pierced with a fork. Strain and set aside.

While the potatoes boil, prep the remaining salad ingredients. Add them all to a very large serving bowl and combine.

To make the dressing, simply combine all the ingredients in small bowl or measuring cup and whisk well. 

Add the boiled potatoes to the large serving bowl and combine with the tomato/celery/olive mixture. Pour the dressing over it all and mix again, until well coated. 

Serve warm or cold!

It seems I've been caught picking out of the bowl!

Someone was all ready for the big cabin trip last week!

We saw MGMT in concert yesterday. Can you believe they came all the way up to Alaska?! I'll share a video on Instagram! I am not a concert person and never, ever will be. It's just not my bag. I like my personal space...and not being smoked on. Someone threw up right next to me and if I want to go to a bathroom so disgusting I have to hover-pee, I'll go to the state fair. *shudder* I just chanted, "Go to your happy place...go to your happy place..." all night. Why am I such an old, grumpy lady?!

German Word of The Day:

Potato --> Kartoffel (pronounced: car-toffel) I know I've shared this one before but for some strange reason, it's one of my favorite German words!

Good Deed of The Day:

Simply wish everyone you come in contact to happiness (in your head, don't want people thinking you're crazy). Smile, and be happy!