Wednesday, August 15, 2018

Spaghetti Salad

© "From Ellie's Kitchen to Yours"
 

Salad:

8 oz spaghetti, cooked and drained
4 medium tomatoes, cut in chunks
1 cucumber, peeled and cut in chunks
1 onion, chopped
1/4 C parsley, chopped
1/3 to 1/2 Ib Feta cheese, crumbled

Dressing:

1/4 C olive oil
2 T fresh lemon juice
3 T wine vinegar
1 T sugar
1 T fresh basil, finely chopped or 1 tsp dried basil
1/4 tsp pepper
Dash Tabasco sauce

Combine ingredients for dressing and refrigerate for several hours or up to a few days ahead. Cook spaghetti and drain. Transfer to a large bowl. While spaghetti is still hot, mix with Feta cheese. Add tomatoes, cucumber, onion and parsley. Add dressing and toss.

Hint: If you find that Feta cheese is too salty, try the imported Feta from France. It is much creamier in texture and a lot less salty than domestic Feta. You may substitute 1 heaping tablespoon of dried parsley for the fresh parsley. The ratio between fresh to dried herbs is 3:1. You need three times as much of the fresh as dried. This salad is fantastic in late summer when fresh basil and native tomatoes are at their peak!

Wednesday, August 1, 2018

Gazpacho

© "From Ellie's Kitchen to Yours"
 
6 very ripe tomatoes, peeled and chopped
1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and chopped
1 small onion, finely chopped
1 small green pepper, finely chopped
1 clove garlic, minced
1½ C tomato juice
3 T olive or canola oil
2 T red wine vinegar
1 tsp salt, or to taste
Black pepper, to taste
2 to 3 drops Tabasco sauce
Croutons (for garnish)

Purée all ingredients, except croutons, in a blender or food processor. Serve in chilled soup bowls or mugs. Garnish with croutons.

Hint: To peel tomatoes, place them in boiling water for about 30 to 40 seconds. Remove and immediately plunge them into ice cold water. Using a sharp paring knife, peel off skins. Gazpacho is a very refreshing soup that I first tasted in Spain many years ago. It is very low in calories and fat and is a great way to use any surplus vegetables you may have from your garden.