“You don’t have to cook fancy or complicated masterpieces -
just good food from fresh ingredients.” —Julia Child
If you don’t like tomatoes and cucumbers, don’t bother living in Russia. You’ll find tomato-cucumber salad in some form or another everywhere. I remember when we lived in the central republics, a couple visited us as they were thinking of relocating there. We put on the spread for them with lots of salads and of course tomatoes and cucumbers found in several dishes. I’m sorry, we don’t eat tomatoes and cucumbers, he said to me. And you want to live in Russia? I asked. It’s going to be tough.
Choose deep-red, ripe but firm tomatoes and medium-sized cucumbers with shiny skin, not dull.
2 Ripe medium-sized tomatoes
2 Medium-sized cucumbers scrubbed
2 or 3 Small green onions
2 Tbsp. Extra-virgin olive oil
3 Tbsp. White vinegar
Juice of 1/2 lemon
2 Tbsp. Chopped fresh cilantro
1 Tbsp. Finely chopped fresh dill weed
1/2 tsp. Salt
A few grinds of black pepper
Chop the tomatoes and cucumbers each into 1/2 inch pieces and place in a bowl. Finely chop the green onions and add to the cucumbers and tomatoes. In a separate bowl, combine all the remaining ingredients and mix well. Pour over the tomato-cucumber mixture, cover and chill one hour before serving to allow the flavors to blend.
This easy salad recipe goes very well with chicken, bean dishes, rice dishes and nicely compliments burgers and dogs on a picnic.
Yours along TheRomanticWay!
Rod & Holly
