Cool Cucumber Salad

This post comes late, I know, as Fall is already well underway and here I am sorting through summer recipes! Well here it is anyway. Super simple, quick and easy- and tasty!

2 cucumbers, thinly sliced

for dressing:

2-3 T. sugar

1/4 c. rice vinegar

1 T. red wine vinegar

2 T. water

1 T. sesame oil

1/2 t. salt, or more to taste

2 T. chopped fresh dill

2 t. sesame seeds

1. Mix together all ingredients for the dressing except sesame seeds. Stir well so the sugar dissolves completely. Pour over cucumbers and stir well.

2. Refrigerate for at least an hour to allow the cucumbers to soak in the flavor, stirring a couple of times. Sprinkle on the sesame seeds and serve. Tastes even better over time as the cucs sit in the dressing.

I think that's it... Feel free to test it and let me know if it tastes good because I'm writing this recipe, trying to remember back to the summer days when i made it....

Jed and Taina's Macaroni Casserole

1 box penne pasta, cooked al dente

1 tomato, chopped

1 summer squash, sliced into half moons

1 small onion, sliced

3 green onions, sliced

4 cloves garlic, minced

variety of cheeses, I particularly like smoked mozzarella

cream sauce- You're on your own here, this is Jed's part of the casserole. Try stirring some combination of milk, butter, cheese, and a bit of flour over low heat.

salt and pepper

1. Sautee the onion in oil until tender and browned, add squash, green onions, and garlic and cook a minute more.

2. Add tomatoes to veggie sautee. Stir and season with salt, pepper, and italian herbs.

3. Stir together veggies, sauce, and pasta. Pour into a glass pan and top with parmesan and any other cheeses you like.

4. Bake at 350 for 30-40 minutes. Brown top under broiler.

Hummus

1 can chickpeas, drained with liquid reserved

3-5 T. lemon juice

1/4 cup good olive oil

1 clove garlic, sauteed

2-3 T. sesame tahini

salt, pepper

Blend all ingredients together in a food processor. Taste and adjust lemon, salt, tahini. To attain desired texture, add more olive oil or reserved liquid. You can add spices, or things like roasted red peppers to this basic recipe.

Drizzle some more olive oil on top and serve with crackers, toasted pita, or veggies.

Healthy Bowl

To make two servings...

toss together:

1 bunch steamed kale, coarsely chopped

1 carrot, shredded

1/2 cucumber, sliced

1/2 cup chopped herbs, any variety

1 block marinated cubed tofu, cooked (see instructions in Pad Thai-na)

6 new potatoes, cut into chunks and sauteed in garlic and oil until soft (add garlic toward the end)

1 boiled egg

whisk together:

3 T. hot water

1 T. honey

1/3 cup peanut butter

3 T. mayo

2 T. rice vinegar

1 t. soy sauce

1 t. sesame oil

salt to taste