In our home we have a problem with leafy greens. To be quite honest, after the first day they are home, they either get lost in the refrigerator or life gets too busy and we straight up forget about them. Sure we might weasel in a salad here or there, but for the most part it's a lost cause. So unless we're using them the day of purchase, usually we turn to different styles of salads that might have more longevity to work with our crazy busy lives. Our hands down favorite is simple, travels well, lasts for a full week in the refrigerator and goes well with almost any summer fare...
Ingredients Needed:
Salad:
3 Cucumbers, Peeled and Diced
1 Medium Red Onion, Diced
1 Large Bunch Radishes (12-15)
1 tbs Fresh Basil
6oz Feta
Dressing:
6 tbs Extra Virgin Olive Oil
3 tbs Red Cider Vinegar
1 tbs Lemon Juice
2 tbs Red Onion (borrow from what's cut for the salad)
1 tbs Garlic
1 tbs Fresh Basil
2 tsp Fresh Ground Black Pepper
1 tsp Salt
Assembly:
The directions are uncomplicated and quite forgiving to anyone doubting their knife skills. Simply chop, mix, dress and serve.
We like to graduate the size of our dice when it comes to our cucumbers. The first one is quartered lengthwise and then cut into large (but still bite-sized chunks) and each cucumber there after is cut smaller. This is completely unnecessary, however, we like to think it helps to make a more cohesive salad. Here's a more visual explanation of our size difference, showing the first and last cucumber sizes:
You can use either seasoned or plain Feta in this recipe (usually it ends up being what's the least expensive) although the plain Feta will usually yield larger, more substantial chunks. The tubs that come pre-seasoned usually have a smaller crumble to them and can feel "lost" amidst the other textures.
Dressing Assembly:
We'd like to tell you that we whisk all our dressings by hand, but 8/10 times that's just not true. The husband's favorite kitchen gadget (which was a substitute for his incessant desire for this) usually blends it up for us without the hassle.
You can also substitute store bought dressings, a decent Italian or Onion Dressing works out splendidly (we just always use all of ours for marinades and are usually out!).
The salad is great right after making, but the flavors will intensify as it sits in the fridge and will be even better as the week progresses.... if it lasts that long. It's perfect to take to a picnic or get together as it's usually different enough from the typical salads that 9/10 it disappears before anything else on the table! Enjoy!
Related:
• Summer Refreshment: How To Make Cucumber Juice
• Recipe: Sour Cream Cucumber Salad with Mustard Seeds
(Images: Sarahrae)
I made a chopped salad last weekend that was delicious. I chopped roasted beets, cucumbers, seeded tomato and onions and tossed them with lemon dill dressing. Very good and also a good alternative to a lettuce salad. After reading your post, I think radishes should have been in my salad, too.
Here's a link to my dressing if you're interested in trying it out sometime. It's also great on a Greek salad if you leave out the honey:
http://danamccauley.wordpress.com/2009/03/06/lemony-dill-dressed-late-winter-salad
view Dana McCauley's profile
I think that this salad sounds great! Except, I am allergic to basil. What would be a good alternative?
view Kronk's profile
You can eliminate the basil all together, just use a dressing that better suits your nutritional needs (or use the same one, just minus the herb).
The basil just keeps things fresh and light, but a tasty dressing can make up for that.
view sarahrae's profile
This looks great, an updated (and improved) version of the 1950s era Farmer's Chop Suey... a staple of every Jewish potluck/picnic/synagogue bbq!
view Evan 's profile
I had house guests this weekend and made this salad on Saturday night. I followed the recipe exactly, but added some dill along with the basil. It was delicious and my guests loved it. It went great with the wild salmon fillets we grilled up. We had lots of leftovers and the salad has been keeping well. Bravo.
view Mrs Olkid's profile