Hi everyone! I am back! I started work this week and although things are a bit hectic I hope to be able to devote time to my blog each night. I have a long list of topics I either owe you or really want to talk about so I am very excited to get working on content!
Today's post is another recipe. Similar to my five ingredient swiss chard this recipe also uses just five ingredients and focuses on farmers market finds! Farmers markets are everywhere, all you need to do is google "farmers markets in (name of your county)" . Find one near you and get out there. It makes for a fun Saturday morning activity and it helps local business. Best of all, the produce is fresher than what you find in the supermarket.
I made this recipe when I was home in jersey two weeks ago. We were about to sit down to a family dinner (my dad was grilling shrimp and chorizo skewers, yum!) when we realized we didn't have any sides to go with it. My dad offered to run to the store to get some lettuce but when I saw his garden pickings on the counter I told him we would make it work. I love piecing together ingredients that are on hand to make something delicious. This recipe was the result.
(side note: follow me on instagram to get more ideas of things you can throw together to make a delicious meal)
Summer Salad
Ingredient
- 2 cucumbers
- 2 tomatoes
- 1/2 red onion
- 1 bell pepper
- 4 oz mozzarella balls, halved (I prefer the Ciliegine balls)
- 1/4 c olive oil
- 2 Tbs red wine vinegar
- 3/4 tsp sea salt
- 1-1/2 tsp dried oregano
- 1 tsp dried basil (can garnish with fresh if you have it)
- 1/4 c sun dried tomatoes, chopped (optional)
Direction
1. Using a peeler, peel the cucumber in an orderly fashion, like this>
Honestly, this is not necessary, it just makes the cucumber look pretty when it's cut and it gets rid of what can sometimes be a tough skin
Then cut up your cucumber. First in slices, then into fours.
2. Chop the tomato add to the bowl.
3. Chop the red onion and bell pepper and add that as well.
No bell pepper pictured here, but you get the idea.
4. Add the olive oil, red wine vinegar and spices and toss to coat.
5. Last, but certainly not least, toss in the mozzarella! Using small mozzarella balls like those mentioned above, works best, but you can also but a large hunk of fresh mozzarella and cut it.
In this pictures I actually used a large mozzarella ball and chopped it up. But I prefer the taste of the smaller mozzarella balls, plus they are easier to cut.
6. This definitely tastes better if it has a little bit of time to sit. Keep it cold, but not too cold or the olive oil can start to solidify.
Enjoy with a delicious protein source (note: delicious does not mean plain grilled chicken breast)! Pictured here are coconut chicken tenders.
Feel free to add more salt! Remember, when you are cooking meals from scratch it is okay to add salt. Salt is an important part of our diet and is essential for your cells and your body to operate. It is especially important during these hot summer months. When you are eating real foods, salt should be your friend. You don't get much salt or sodium naturally occurring in whole foods. [Compare this to processed foods which use sodium (salt) as a preservative, flavor enhancer, and a way to keep you addicted. Processed foods provide excessive and unwanted sodium.]
But eat real food, and keep that salt shaker on the table!
Let me know what fun things you find at your farmers market this weekend!
