Quick Fix: Summer Salad

One of the best things about summer is the produce. You may have noticed I have taken a short break from my heavier Italian dishes and traded them out for some lighter, veggie-centric ones. It's summer, and if there's one thing I really enjoy it's cooking seasonally. It makes me happpppy.

This dish happens to be a favorite of my husband's. It's also one that Mom mom Johnson used to make (who was my father's mother), so I think of her when I make it. It's also really easy and cheap to make. Get your cucumbers and tomatoes at your local farmer's market or, if you are a lucky dog like me, the farmer down the street's veggie stand!

So here we go: 

Celery salt, pepper, onion (1/2 red and 1/2 white) tomato, cucumber, sprig of oregano, several leaves basil, sugar, oil, and vinegar. 

Of course, as always, you can substitute dried herbs for fresh. However, I highly recommend that you start your own herb garden. It's easy and you can do it in pots, making it great for the city or the country! 

I like cutting my veggies into half moons. You do this by cutting said vegetable in half and then slicing away! So do your cucumber. 

Then your tomato.... 

...and your onions. 

A note on the onions: you don't have to use 1/2 red and 1/2 white. You can use a whole red or a whole white if that is what you have. Heck, get crazy, use a vidalia onion! I like lots of color in my salad, so I used a half of each. 

Throw them in a bowl along with your chopped herbs. 

Add a couple heaping teaspoons of sugar. (Notice I am not using a standard measuring spoon. You know why? I didn't care to. Don't worry about the exact measurements on this one, use the rough measurements and it'll all come out fine!) 

About half a teaspoon of celery salt... 

A few tablespoons of olive oil... (Here I did break out my "official" measuring wand!) 

Then your red wine vinegar. Give it a nice stir..... 

And HOORAY! You've got a great summer salad! 

YUM! 

Billie's Summer Salad 

Time: 5-7 minutes | Serves 4-6 | Difficulty: Easy 

You Will Need:

1 large cucumber 

1 tomato 

1/2 small red onion

1/2 medium white onion

5-7 leaves of fresh basil (or a teaspoon dry) 

1 sprig fresh oregano (or a teaspoon dry) 

1 heaping teaspoons of sugar 

1/2 teaspoon celery salt 

3 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil 

1/2 cup red wine vinegar 

pepper to taste 

salt to taste (optional) 

Method: 

Peel your cucumber and cut into half moons by slicing the vegetable in half and then cutting (see picture above.) Do the same with the onions and tomatoes. Place them all in a bowl. 

Chop your herbs, if using fresh and add them to your veggies. 

Add celery salt and sugar. 

Add olive oil and red wine vinegar and pepper. 

Mix evenly. 

Chill until ready to serve!