Call me a crazy pregnant lady who either craves food like mad or can’t stand the site of it, but I can not stop making this salad. You could blame it on the hormones, but I think there’s more to it than that.
I made this same salad with the addition of tomatoes last summer about 100 times, but tomatoes aren’t ready here yet. I discovered that even without those delicious fresh tomatoes, cucumbers and basil are just too good together not to make this salad five times a week for three weeks straight.
The papa is getting a little tired of it I think, which is why next time I’ll make a big bowl for lunch while he’s at work and then make him a big green salad with blue cheese for supper – his favorite.
Don’t let its deliciousness fool you. You should make this salad simply because it takes three minutes, a knife, and a serving bowl to make. That’s one reason I could eat it three times a day.
Well, this salad and gravy poured over just about anything… or just gravy for that matter.
Cucumber Salad with Basil
Recipe Notes: You can definitely add olive oil to this, but it’s so quick and refreshing on its own that I don’t find it necessary.
Ingredients
- 1 large cucumber, peeled and chopped
- 1 handful of basil, torn
- raw red wine vinegar to taste
- salt to taste
Directions
- Cut cucumber into bowl and add basil. Add a generous glug of raw red wine vinegar and season generously with salt. Taste for seasoning and adjust as needed.
- Eat. Every day for three weeks.
What summer salads are you eating every night?
13 Responses to My Current Favorite: Super Simple Cucumber Salad
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This looks absolutely perfect. I haven’t made this combination before either. I just added it to my recipes. Thank you!!
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Oh, how I love gravy, too! And only homemade, no out of the jar Yuck! I just made some tonight with roast chicken and mashed potatoes. Gravy, when done right, is simply fantastically.
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This is a keeper!
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My version usually has garlic and black pepper as well as tomatoes and some oil. Any vinegar will do, I like variety! Just sprinkle a little of this and that and it’s always good!
Or use yogurt or sour cream . Yum!
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yum. love it. thanks for sharing.
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What brand of raw red wine vinegar should I look for….? This is new to me.
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Shannon Reply:
July 26th, 2011 at 12:57 pm
Rachel – The only one I’ve found is Eden organics and it is fairly inexpensive… and local for us.
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I’ve been making a cucumber salad with a yogurt/dill/garlic dressing ~ yummy! Can’t get enough…
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I find apple cider vinegar goes really well with cucumber so you could also try that if the cravings allow….
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I’ve been making a wonderful cucumber salad this summer that is so refreshing. It’s simple! Mix equal amounts of cubed cucumber and watermelon with chopped fresh mint to taste. That’s it!
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I make one very similar to what you make. Sliced cucumbers, diced tomatoes, sliced onions in a vinaigrette of olive oil, white wine vinegar, salt, pepper, and basil. YUM! If I had flax oil, I would most likely use that instead of olive oil to make it even healthier.
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Thanks for this idea! I have both an abundance of cucumbers and basil, and this will be perfect!
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My mom made this when I was growing up (Im 50 now). She also added tomatoes and sliced red onions. Baby mozzarella cheese balls would be good too.. or do like I do & slice up a string cheese stick in it Simply delightful & refreshing!
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