Category: Duxbridge mysteries

Farmer’s Market Week: Cucumber-Tomato Salad

Everyone has their favorite way to eat those fresh tomatoes from the garden. This salad is my go-to. And so far I’ve been averaging enough cucumbers and tomatoes to make a batch every few days.

Cucumber Tomato Salad:

  • 2 large cucumbers
  • 3 large tomatoes
  • 3 green onions or 1/2 small onion
  • 1 large green pepper (opt)
  • 1 jalapeno (opt)

Mix together:

  • ¼ cup mayonnaise
  • 2 tbsp vinegar (apple cider or wine vinegar)*
  • 1/2 tsp Italian seasoning*
  • salt & pepper

large bowl

Thinly slice the cucumbers, onions, pepper & dice the tomatoes.  Toss with dressing.  Salt and pepper to taste.  Serves 4-6.

*you can substitute 1/4 Italian dressing for vinegar and Italian seasoning.

x-posted at What’s 4 Dinner Solutions

Farmer’s Market Week: Green Beans w/Red Peppers

The garden is starting to overflow with ready-to-pick goodies. Here are some new flavors to try with fresh green beans. Below are stovetop and instant pot instructions.

Photo: Betty Crocker

Green Beans w/Red Peppers:

  • 1 lb green beans, trimmed
  • 1 red pepper, seeded and sliced in strips
  • 1 tbsp olive oil
  • 2 oz sliced black olives
  • 2 tsp lemon juice
  • ¼ tsp red pepper flakes

Stovetop:

Tools: steamer & saucepan

Place steamer, in saucepan, with just enough water to come to the bottom of the steamer and add beans.  Steam beans until tender-crisp, about 3 to 4 minutes. Drain beans and set aside. Heat oil in saucepan, sauté pepper & olives for 1 minute, toss with beans, lemon and pepper flakes.

Instant pot electric pressure cooker:

Tools: electric pressure cooker and steamer basket

Place steamer, in the electric pressure cooker, with just enough water to come to the bottom of the steamer and add beans.  Use the pressure cooker setting for about 3 minutes for crisp beans (my preference) or 7 minutes for super tender beans. Remove steamer and drain the water from the pan.

Add oil and use the sauté setting to heat the oil. Then add the pepper & olives and sauté for 1 minute, toss with beans, lemon and pepper flakes.

x-posted at What’s 4 Dinner Soutions

 

Underway: A TJ Wilde Mystery Now Available!!

Now Available!!

 

A DANGEROUS, SEXY, INTERNATIONAL ART ADVENTURE

A new job, a new home and a new outlook on life. But, of course, it could not be that easy.

 A cute loft with a great view would be enough to bring me back to Boston. But add in a great job with my best friend, an adorable lost kitten, and a neighborhood filled with art and artists, then there was no question I was right where I belonged.

Unfortunately, missing Cuban art, a vandalized gallery, and a gallerist who has simply vanished are making the return to my favorite city troublesome. Not to mention, someone keeps sneaking into my apartment. This was not the marvelous return I had envisioned.

Add to that, my sexy lawman, who is both persistent and much too far away. He definitely is not taking no for an answer.   

 

For TJ Wilde, moving back to Boston
felt like coming home,
but home was never this dangerous…

 

Buy now! Kindle and Paperback available NOW!

Read Chapter One HERE

Chapter Two, Part One HERE and Part Two HERE