Karl’s Central Asian Tomato and Cucumber Salad with Lemon Dill Vinaigrette

For wife Jan’s birthday, I am making carrot salad. Daughter Miriam is having trouble chewing and eating carrots might be a bit hard for her. I decided to make a tomato and cucumber salad with tender greens just for her.

Karl’s Central Asian Tomato and Cucumber Salad with Lemon Dill Vinaigrette

Warning!: I bought my mesclun from the farmer’s market. While I have bought these tender greens many times from this particular farmer, today there was a toxic thistle in the mix—a strong laxative. Two of the party spent a bad night after having only bitten—but not swallowing—bits of the weed. Carefully check non-commercial salad mixes for weeds that should not be there.

Karl’s Central Asian Tomato and Cucumber Salad with Lemon Dill Vinaigrette

Ingredients

Dressing

2 Tbs. lemon juice
1 Tbs. honey, local preferred
½ tsp. dill, dried
¼ tsp. black pepper
¼ tsp. Kosher salt

3-5 beefsteak tomatoes, seeded
3 Persian cucumbers
½ medium red onion, sliced thin

6 oz. mesclun, mixed baby greens

Directions

1. Mix the dressing in a small bowl and let stand for 10-15 minutes to meld.

2. Slice the tomatoes and cucumbers into similar sized pieces and place in a mixing bowl.

Tip: Sometimes I like to roll-cut the cucumbers. Take a diagonal slice from the cucumber and then roll it a quarter turn. Take a second diagonal cut. The cucumber piece will be wedge-shaped on one side and rounded on the other. This is a more interesting shape that simple round or half moon slices. Continue rolling and cutting until done.

3. Add the sliced onions and dressing to the bowl and mix well.

Tip: Let the vegetables stand for 20-40 minutes to briefly marinate, tossing occasionally to distribute the dressing.

4. Wash the mesclun and place the greens in the bottom of a serving bowl

5. Pour the cucumber/tomato mix on top of the greens.

Tip: I prefer to use the greens as a bed for the other ingredients, so I do not toss the marinated vegetables with the greens.

6. Serve at room temperature.