PRODUCE

RECIPES

August 11,  2008

Volume  8    

Cucumber Tapa

Ingredients

Serves 4

·       2 cucumbers (about 1 pound each), peeled if waxy

·       2 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

·       1 teaspoon sherry vinegar

·       2 ounces feta cheese, diced

·       1/4 teaspoon salt

·       Pinch of freshly ground black pepper

·       1 tablespoon fresh oregano, leaves, coarsely chopped

Directions

1.     Slice cucumbers lengthwise, and remove seeds. Cut 1 cucumber half into 1/4-inch dice, and transfer to a small bowl. Add olive oil, vinegar, feta cheese, salt, and pepper, and toss well to combine. Add oregano, and toss again.

2.     Use a vegetable peeler to remove one or two long strips of peel (if cucumbers are already peeled, remove a strip of flesh) from the underside of each cucumber half so they will sit without tipping. Divide cucumber-and-feta mixture among them.

3.     Slice cucumbers on a slight diagonal into 1 1/2-inch sections, and serve immediately.

Bruschetta with Tomatoes, Cucumbers, and Basil

Ingredients

Makes 15 to 20

·       3 large, ripe tomatoes, seeded and chopped

·       1/2 large red onion, cut into 1/4-inch dice

·       1 cucumber, peeled, seeded, and cut into 1/4-inch dice

·       1 cup fresh basil leaves, shredded

·       Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

·       1/4 cup extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for brushing

·       1 tablespoon red-wine vinegar

·       1 baguette

·       2 to 3 peeled garlic cloves, for rubbing

 

Directions

1.     In a large bowl, combine tomatoes, onion, cucumber, and basil; season lightly with salt and pepper. Add olive oil and vinegar, and toss well to combine. Let stand at room temperature for at least 1 hour but no longer than 3 hours.

2.     Heat broiler or grill pan. Cut bread diagonally into 1/2-inch-thick slices. Brush both sides of each slice lightly with olive oil; grill or broil on both sides until toasted.

3.     Rub hot bread lightly with garlic cloves on one side only. Sprinkle with salt and pepper, and top with tomato mixture. Let stand a few minutes to allow juices to soak into bread before serving.

Lamb and Cucumber Wraps

Ingredients

Makes 4

·       1/2 cup plain low-fat yogurt

·       2 tablespoons chopped black olives

·       1 teaspoon minced garlic

·       1/2 teaspoon dried oregano

·       1/4 teaspoon salt

·       1/8 teaspoon pepper

·       4 soft lavash (Middle-Eastern flatbread)

·       Roast Leg of Lamb, thinly sliced

·       Cucumber, thinly sliced

·       Red onion, thinly sliced

Directions

1.     In a small bowl, combine yogurt, olives, garlic, oregano, salt, and pepper.

2.     Thinly spread some of the yogurt mixture over the lavash; then layer half of each lavash with lamb, cucumber, and red onion slices. Spoon remaining yogurt sauce over filling; fold each lavash to enclose.

 

Balancing Facial Mask
1 small avocado, mashed (about 2/3 cup)
1/2 small cucumber, finely grated (about 1/3 cup)
1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
3 tablespoons green clay powder (sold at natural-foods stores)

Combine all ingredients in a small bowl, using a fork to blend. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes. Apply a thick layer of the mixture to clean, dry skin on your face and neck, avoiding the eye and lip areas. Keep fairly still for 10 to 15 minutes, allowing the mask to dry in place. Wipe skin clean with a damp cloth; splash with cool water, and pat dry.

 

 

 

Carrot and Cucumber Refrigerator Pickles

Ingredients

Makes 1 quart

·       2 cucumbers, ends trimmed, cut into 1/8-inch-thick rounds

·       4 carrots, peeled and cut into 1/8-inch-thick pieces

·       1/2 cup sugar

·       1 cup white-wine vinegar

·       1/2 cup water

·       1 1/2 teaspoons salt

·       1/2 teaspoon mustard seeds

·       1/2 teaspoon celery seeds

·       1/2 teaspoon whole black peppercorns

Directions

1.     In a large glass jar or bowl, arrange alternating layers of cucumbers and carrots. In a small saucepan, combine sugar, vinegar, the water, salt, mustard seeds, celery seeds, and peppercorns. Bring mixture to a boil over medium-high heat; cook, stirring constantly, just until sugar dissolves.

2.     Remove from heat; pour mixture over vegetables, and let cool completely. Cover tightly, and refrigerate at least 24 hours before serving. Pickled vegetables can be stored in refrigerator up to 1 week.

Cucumber Ranch Dressing

Ingredients

Makes 2 1/4 cups

·       1 medium cucumber, peeled, halved lengthwise, seeded, and grated on the large holes of a box grater

·       1 tablespoon shallot, finely chopped

·       3/4 cup sour cream

·       1/4 cup low-fat buttermilk

·       1/4 cup mayonnaise

·       3 1/2 tablespoons (about 1 lemon) fresh lemon juice

·       1 1/4 teaspoons coarse salt

·       Pinch of cayenne pepper

·       3 tablespoons fresh flat-leaf parsley, finely chopped

·       3 tablespoons fresh chives, finely chopped

Directions

1.     Stir together cucumber, shallot, sour cream, buttermilk, mayonnaise, lemon juice, salt, cayenne, parsley, and chives in a medium bowl. Season with additional salt and cayenne, if desired. Dressing can be refrigerated in an airtight container for up to 3 days.

 

 

Cherry Tomato Confit

Ingredients

Makes 2 1/2 cups

·       1 1/2 pounds (3 half-pint baskets) cherry tomatoes, stems removed

·       1 cup olive oil

·       3 fresh rosemary sprigs (about 3 inches each)

·       6 fresh thyme sprigs

·       6 garlic cloves, peeled

·       Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

·       2 teaspoons red-wine vinegar

·       1 teaspoon chopped fresh thyme

Directions

1.     Preheat the oven to 225 degrees. Place the tomatoes in a baking dish large enough to hold them in a single layer. Pour the oil over the tomatoes, and add the herb sprigs and garlic cloves. Season generously with salt and pepper. Bake, uncovered, until the tomatoes are swollen and the skins are wrinkled, about 3 hours.

2.     Remove the tomatoes from the oven, and allow to cool. Transfer to a small bowl. For the best flavor, cover, and refrigerate overnight. Bring to room temperature before you are ready to serve.

3.     Before serving, pour the tomatoes into a sieve set over a bowl, reserving both the tomatoes and the oil. Place the drained tomatoes in a small bowl, discarding the herb sprigs and garlic cloves. Add the vinegar, chopped thyme, and 1 tablespoon of the reserved oil. Stir gently, being careful not to break up the tomatoes. Season with salt and pepper.

Bacon, Lettuce, and Tomato Salad

Ingredients

Serves 12

·       24 strips (cut 1/4 inch thick) bacon, (1 pound)

·       2 1/2 bunches lettuce, such as romaine, Bibb, or green oakleaf

·       1 cup Avocado Dressing

·       2 pounds tomatoes, preferably red and yellow

·       1 pint cherry tomatoes

·       Salt and freshly ground black pepper

Directions

1.     Heat oven to 350 degrees. Arrange bacon strips on a wire rack set over a baking pan. Place pan in oven until bacon is golden brown and crisp, about 40 minutes. Remove from oven, being careful of the bacon fat that has collected under the rack, and set aside.

2.     Arrange lettuce in the bottom of a salad bowl; drizzle with half the avocado dressing. Cut tomatoes into 1/4-inch-thick slices; cut cherry tomatoes, depending on size, in half. Arrange tomato slices over lettuce; scatter cherry tomatoes over tomato slices.

3.     Arrange whole bacon strips over tomatoes. Drizzle with remaining avocado dressing, season with salt and pepper to taste, and serve immediately.

Winter Salad with Roasted Cherry Tomatoes

Ingredients

Serves 6

·       10 ounces (about 1 pint) cherry tomatoes (or substitute grape tomatoes)

·       6 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

·       3 tablespoons balsamic vinegar