Fresh for Summer

Here is a refreshing and unexpected combination: pineapple and cucumber. I was inspired to combine these two flavors after having a cucmber salad at a sushi restaurant last week. The menu said the cucumber salad had a hint of pineapple and that got me thinking. I looked through recipes (there are a ton of thai salades) and landed on this simple salad. This low calorie salad is filling and would work splendidly on a picnic or for lunch.

picnics are my favorite.

Cucumber Mint Pineapple Salad

Ingredients:

1 cucumber (peeled)
1 c  cubed pineapple
2 tbsp chopped mint
1 tbsp olive oi

Directions:

1. In a large bowl combine cucumber and pineapple.

2. In a separate bowl combine oil and mint.

3. Combine dressing with cucumber/pineapple. Mix well.

3. Chill in fridge and serve. (It is recommended you serve immediately however I made this the night before and packed it for lunch and it was quite fresh.)

Fresh and interesting

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Easy Spring Cous Cous Salad

This simple yet whole dish will leave you wanting to picnic, I promise!

Israeli Cous Cous Salad

Ingredients: half cucumber, lemon, half avocado, tomato, half red onion, 1 c of Israeli cous cous, salt, paprika

Directions:

Cook cous cous according to package. Dice cucumbers, avocado, onion, and tomato (take out insides of tomato). Place in large bowl and stir. Add a pinch and a half of salt and a pinch of paprika. Then squeeze both halves of lemon on mixture. Once cous cous is done place pot in freezer to allow to cool (shouldn’t take more than 5 minutes). Add cous cous to mixture, toss and serve!

must. use. basil

We have this giant Basil growing in the garden and haven’t really used it. Yesterday we had a picnic on the beach and wanted something delicious to pack. What better way to use the basil then Caprese sandwiches with homemade pesto!

wanted: love and use

Homemade Caprese Sandwich

Ingredients for Pesto: 1/2 tsp olive oil, 2 tbsp chopped basil, 2 cloves of garlic, 1 and 1/3 tbsp pine nuts

Sandwich: beef steak tomato, fresh mozzarella, ciabatta or baguette ( we used a salt twist bread), sun dried tomatoes (not in oil), arugula

Directions:

Place all pesto ingredients in food processor. Chop until blended and smooth. Once pesto is made spread on bread. Top pesto with ingredients and viola! Easy peesy delicious sandwich.

easy and delicious