Monday Menu: Garden Fresh Recipes

My garden is doing okay this summer, but not spectacular. So, while I have a counter full of tomatoes, not really enough to worry about freezing this year. But I still need to them up. So I made two tomato-heavy recipes this weekend. Salsa and salad.

I had one lone cucumber in the garden this week, so of course it was time for a summer staple.

Cucumber Tomato Salad:

• 2 large cucumbers
• 3 large tomatoes
• 3 green onions or sliced onion
• 1 large green pepper
• ¼ cup mayonnaise
• ¼ cup Italian salad dressing
• salt & pepper

large bowl

Thinly slice cucumbers, onions, pepper & dice tomatoes.  Mix together with salad dressing and Italian dressing.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Serves 4-6.

And then time for some fresh salsa, as the jalapenos are coming in, along with the tomatoes.

Fresh and Easy Salsa

• 4 tomatoes, quartered
• 6 green onions
• 2 tsp crushed garlic
• ½ to 1 bunch cilantro, remove stems
• 2 to 4 jalapenos*, remove stems
• 2 tbsp red wine vinegar
• dash of limejuice if desired

blender or food processor

In a blender or food processor, add all ingredients and coarsely chop until blended well**.  If you can make a day ahead, it gets even better.  Seal in an airtight container and refrigerate for up to a week.

**If you prefer a chunkier style salsa, you’d be better off chopping vegetables by hand.

How is your harvest going?