South-east Asian tomato and cucumber salad

Ingredients

• 2 ripe tomatoes diced (we use truss tomatoes)
• 2 mini cucumbers, diced
• ½ spanish onion, diced
• 2 spring onions, thinly sliced
• 1 red chilli, deseeded and thinly sliced (optional)
• 2 tablespoon chopped fresh coriander

Dressing ingredients

• 3 teaspoon fish sauce, or to taste
• 3 teaspoon freshly squeezed lime juice
• 1 teaspoon dark brown sugar
• 1 garlic clove, minced

Preparation

1. Whisk together the fish sauce, lime juice, garlic and sugar in a large mixing bowl.

2. Add the diced tomatoes, mini cucumbers, onion, spring onions, red chilli and coriander, and gently toss to coat.

Chinese Cucumber Salad

Chinese Cucumber Salad

Ingredients

• 1 fresh English cucumber (or two smaller ones, around 350g)
• 3 garlic cloves, mashed
• 1 tablespoon black vinegar  (or rice vinegar)
• 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
• ½ teaspoon sugar
• ½ tablespoon sesame oil
• salt to taste
• chili oil to taste (1/2 tablespoon recommended)

Instructions

1.     Wash the cucumber and peel off tough skins. Dry cucumber with a paper towel. Remove the two ends and smash with a wide kitchen knife (like Chinese slicing knife) until the cucumber is well crushed. Then cut into one bite pieces.

2.     Combine vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, salt and chili oil in a small bowl and mix well.

3.     Transfer all cucumber cubes into a bowl. Right before serving, mix well with mashed garlic and other sauces.

4.     Serve immediately.

Greek Cucumber Salad

Ingredients

• ⅓ cup thinly sliced red onion
• ¼ cup extra-virgin olive oil
• 1½ tsp. red wine vinegar
• 1½ tsp. dried oregano
• 2-3 English cucumbers, thinly sliced
• 1 cup plain Greek yogurt (full fat)
• 1 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
• 1 clove garlic, pressed
• ¼ cup fresh chopped dill
• 1 tsp. kosher salt, plus more to taste
• fresh ground black pepper

Instructions

1.     In a small bowl, combine the red onion, olive oil, vinegar, and oregano. Let the onions marinate at room temperature while preparing the rest of the salad.

2.     Place the sliced cucumbers into a large salad bowl.

3.     Combine the Greek yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, dill, salt, black pepper, and then add to the cucumbers, along with the marinated onions. Toss everything together really well. Taste for salt and pepper.

4.     Refrigerate for 20-30 minutes before serving.

Italian Avocado Cucumber Tomato Salad

Ingredients

• 2 avocados, diced
• 1 english cucumber, sliced
• 3 roma tomatoes, diced
• ¼ cup red onion, sliced
• ½ cup small mozzarella cheese balls
• 2 Tablespoons olive oil
• 2 Tablespoons lemon juice
• 1 Tablespoon Italian Seasoning
• salt and pepper

Instructions

1.     In a large bowl combine avocado, cucumber, tomatoes, red onion, and mozzarella cheese balls. Gently toss.

2.     In a small bowl whisk the olive oil, lemon juice, and Italian seasoning. Add to the veggies and toss.

3.     Salt and pepper to taste

Tomato Cucumber Feta Salad

Ingredients

• 3 large cucumbers peeled and chopped (about 4 cups)
• 5-6 Roma tomatoes chopped (about 4 cups)
• 1 large red onion chopped
• 8 oz. feta cheese cut into squares
• 1/2 c. olive oil
• 1/4 c. red wine vinegar
• 1/2 Tbsp. dried oregano
• 1/2 Tbsp. minced garlic 3 cloves
• 1/2 tsp. dijon mustard
• 1/4 tsp. salt
• 1/4 tsp. pepper

Instructions

1. Combine cucumbers, tomatoes, onion, and feta in a large salad bowl.
2. Prepare dressing by combining all ingredients and shaking well.
3. Pour dressing over salad and stir to combine.

Cucumber Quinoa Salad

Ingredients:

Cucumber Quinoa Salad Ingredients:

• 1 English cucumber, diced
• 2 cups chilled* cooked quinoa 
• 1/2 cup diced red onion
• 1/2 cup crumbled feta cheese
• 1/3 cup julienned or roughly-chopped fresh basil leaves
• 1 batch Lemony Italian vinaigrette (see below)

Lemony Italian Vinaigrette Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup olive oil
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar or red wine vinegar
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1/2 teaspoon Italian seasoning, homemade or store-bought
• pinch of salt and black pepper

Directions:

To Make The Cucumber Quinoa Salad:

1. Toss all ingredients together until combined.  Serve immediately.

To Make The Lemony Italian Vinaigrette:

1. Whisk all ingredients together in a small bowl until combined.

How To Cook Quinoa

Quinoa can either be cooked on the stove or in a rice cooker.

• On The Stove: Stir together the quinoa and water/broth in a saucepan, then bring to a boil.  Reduce heat to medium-low, cover, and simmer for 15-20 minutes or until the liquid is absorbed.  Remove from heat and let sit, covered, for 5 minutes.  Fluff with a fork and serve.
• In A Rice Cooker: Stir together the quinoa and water/broth in a rice cooker.  Then cook according to the rice cooker instructions, as if cooking rice, until liquid is absorbed.  Fluff with a fork and serve.

Cucumber and Feta Rolls

Cucumber and Feta Rolls

Ingredients

• 4 ounces crumbled feta, crumbled
• 1/4 cup Greek yogurt
• 2 tablespoons sundried tomatoes, chopped
• 2 tablespoons kalamata olives, chopped
• 2 tablespoons roasted red peppers, chopped
• 1 tablespoon oregano or dill, chopped
• 2 teaspoons lemon juice
• pepper to taste
• 2 cucumbers, sliced thinly lengthwise

Directions

1. Mash the feta into the yogurt and then mix in the sundried tomatoes, kalamata olives, sun dried tomatoes, oregano, lemon juice and pepper.
2. Place 1 tablespoon of the mixture onto a slice of cucumber, roll it up and secure it with a toothpick.

Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad

Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad

Ingredients

• 1 cucumber (sliced)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon water
• 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
• 1/4 cup red onions (sliced)
• 1 clove garlic (minced)
• 1 teaspoon gochugaru (or other chili powder)
• 1 teaspoon gochujang
• 1 teaspoon honey
• 1 teaspoon rice wine vinegar
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds (toasted)

Directions

1. Mix the cucumbers and salt and let sit for 10-20 minutes.
2. Mix the water and vinegar and let the onion sit in the mixture for 10-20 minutes.
3. Rinse the cucumber and dry.
4. Drain the onions.
5. Mix the remaining ingredients and toss with the cucumber and onions.
6. Top with some more toasted sesame seeds.

Cucumber with Feta and Mint

Cucumber with Feta and Mint

Ingredients

1 large cucumber

1 cup crumbled feta cheese

1/2 cup chopped fresh mint leaves

6 tablespoons olive oil

3 tablespoons lemon juice

Sea salt and freshly ground pepper

Wash and dry the cucumber and cut it into very thin crosswise slices. Place the slices in a salad bowl, sprinkling with the feta cheese and mint. In a small bowl whisk the oil and lemon juice with the salt and pepper to make ladolemono (vinaigrette made with lemon juice). Pour over the salad and toss thoroughly. Serve immediately.

Cucumber & Strawberry Salad

Cucumber & Strawberry Salad

Ingredients

• 2 - 3 large cucumbers, chopped
• 4 cups strawberries, sliced
• 1/2 cup feta, crumbled
• 2 tablespoon sour cream or yogurt or mayo or combination
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice/ vinegar
• Salt & pepper to taste

Instructions

1.    Whisk together sour cream (or yogurt or mayo or combination), lemon/vinegar, salt & pepper.

2.    In a large bowl, toss cucumbers and strawberries together. Sprinkle with feta.

3.    Sprinkle the dressing over the salad before serving.

Thai Cucumber Salad

Ingredients

DRESSING

• 2 tablespoon rice vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• 1/4 to 1/2 teaspoon red pepper flakes
• Salt to taste

SALAD

• 2-3 large cucumbers
• 3 green onions
• 1/4 cup chopped peanuts

Instructions

1.     In a small bowl, combine the rice vinegar, sesame oil, red pepper flakes, and salt. Set the dressing aside to give it time to blend. (add 2 tablespoon of honey if you prefer for a little sweet taste)

2.     Peel and slice the cucumber using your favorite method. Place the sliced cucumbers in a large bowl.

3.     Chop the peanuts. Slice the green onions.

Add the dressing, peanuts, and green onions to the sliced cucumbers. Stir to combine. Serve immediately or refrigerate until ready to eat. 

German Cucumber Salad

German Cucumber Salad

Ingredients

·         2 tablespoon sour cream or yogurt or mayo or combination

·         1 tablespoon white vinegar or lemon juice

·         1 tablespoon milk

·         ¼ teaspoon kosher salt

·         ¼ teaspoon freshly cracked black pepper

·         2 tablespoons fresh dill chopped

·         3 cucumber, washed and thinly sliced (about 2 cups sliced)

·         ½ cup thinly sliced red or yellow onion

·         1 clove garlic, grated (optional)

Instructions

In a medium bowl, whisk together sour cream (or yogurt or mayo or combination), vinegar, milk, salt, pepper, dill and garlic (optional) until combined. Add sliced cucumbers and onions and gently stir to coat evenly. Cover and refrigerate at least 1 hour before serving.

One Pot Beef Mince Stir-Fry

Ingredients

·  500g beef mince (you can use chicken/ pork / mutton mince)

·  1 tablespoon sunflower oil

·  2 tablespoon light soy sauce

·  1 tablespoons Worcestershire sauce

·  Spices of your choice (I used ½ tsp. turmeric & ½ tsp. cinnamon)

·  1 teaspoon oregano/ Thyme/ Rosemary (any herb of your choice)

·  1 onion, chopped

·  1 tablespoon grated ginger

·  2 large garlic cloves, crushed

·  ¼ cabbage, finely shredded

·  1 cup cauliflower florets

·  1 green capsicum, cut into strips

·  Salt & Pepper to taste

·  ½ Lemon Juice

Method

1. Heat the oil in a wok or deep pan. Stir–fry mince beef for 2 minutes, (in batches if the pan is too small), breaking up lumps with a wooden spoon, until mixture is no longer pink. Add onion, garlic, ginger and stir–fry for another 2 minutes.
2. Add tomato paste and stir–fry for 30 seconds.
3. Add the spices & herbs.
4. Add the vegetables and stir–fry for another minute.
5. Stir through soy sauce, Worcestershire sauce, lemon juice, salt & pepper powder. Simmer for 5 minutes.
6. Done.