Marinaded cucumber salad?

[Wayne02]

I don't know what the proper name of this dish is, but I know I like it a lot and need to learn to make it myself. I realize this is probably pretty simple for most of you but I'm not the best 'cook' in the world.

Here is what is usually in the concoction:

Sliced cucumbers, tomato's and onions (and maybe some other stuff) with some sort of dressing all mixed up. I assume it is marinaded in the fridge for awhile. It has a tangy taste which is really good.

Yesterday I tried to make this but it was rather bland taste wise, there was no kick to it. I picked up a bottle of spicy Italian dressing and a bottle of balsamic vinegar with 6% acidity. I mixed the vinegar and dressing in the bottom of a large bowl until there was maybe a 1/2" covering the bottom. Dumped the sliced components in and mixed them around a bit, covered the bowl with plastic wrap and put it in the fridge for about 5 hours.

What needs to happen here? Am I using the right stuff - vinegar and dressing? Do I need to let it sit longer in the fridge? Do the vegetables need to be fully immersed and covered in the dressing?

Thanks

[vickie]

Mix white vinager with sugar in a bowl, put in the microwave, heat to dissolve sugar. put your vegs in, mix and let set in refirig. for 30 minutes or more. Enjoy. Vickie

[Windy in Kansas]

When marinating for that long it might be best to dehydrate the items a bit first.

Prepare and slice. Sprinkle salt over the items to withdraw moisture. After an hour or so dump the liquid and rinse the salt off. Pat dry and marinate with your marinade. With less moisture the marinade won't get watered down and can actually soak in a bit.

[sss3]

I just marinate cukes and tomatoes in Italian Dressing.

[mammabooh]

I wouldn't add any vinegar to dressing. It probably already has vinegar in it. I make my own with vinegar, sugar, water, salt, pepper, and celery seed. It that what you have in mind? If so, I can give you the exact recipe.

[unregistered29228]

I just use vinegar (white or apple cider), a little olive oil and a touch of salt, then some pepper, garlic, and maybe some italian seasoning or fresh oregano. Sliced cucumbers, tomatoes (deseeded, squeezed a little), onion, green pepper. Mix and let set for an hour before serving. Hubby loves his over rice.

[PulpFaction]

I make a similar fresh summer salad with cukes, tomatoes, corn, sprouts, shredded broccoli and...well, really whatever veggies I need to use up, but ALWAYS the cukes and tomatoes.

I pour extra virgin olive oil on it, I sprinkle in LIBERAL amounts of italian seasonings (rosemary, oregano, thyme if I don't have the blend. If you have fresh herbs, even better.) sprinkle it with a bit of salt (very light) and pepper and...here's the kicker....GOAT CHEESE. A good seasoned feta or something crumbled on it is good.

Stir it up, cover it and let it sit in the fridge for a few hours, at least, and you're good to go. The longer it sits, the stronger the flavorings, but I often eat a serving right away and then the next day will have another and it's even better.

When I was on a raw foods diet for a minute, I ate this 2-3 times a day! And I never felt better.

[Becka]

There are different variations of cucumber salads, but one of my favorites is Turkish Salad.

You use tomatoes, onions, cucumbers, and very tiny pieces of lettuce (if desired) and mix with the juice from one lemon and some salt. The lemon juice gives it a tangy kick and no vinegar is needed.

[Nomad]

Originally Posted by vickie

Mix white vinager with sugar in a bowl, put in the microwave, heat to dissolve sugar. put your vegs in, mix and let set in refirig. for 30 minutes or more. Enjoy. Vickie

This is the same thing I use for mine except I add a little water. I bought a basket of small pickles last weekend and I made a gallon jar of garlic dills and the rest I sliced up, peel and all, along with some sliced onions I put them in a big bowl with the vinegar, water and sugar mixture. I didn't realize I made so many. We ate them all week and I finished the last of them for lunch today. I'll be making more soon.

Nomad

[Wayne02]

Originally Posted by mammabooh

I wouldn't add any vinegar to dressing. It probably already has vinegar in it. I make my own with vinegar, sugar, water, salt, pepper, and celery seed. It that what you have in mind? If so, I can give you the exact recipe.

Yes, that sounds good.

Thanks

[Wayne02]

So when I "marinate" is the dressing supposed to completely cover all the vegetables in the bowl or just stir the vegetables through the marinate a couple of times and have some of marinate in the bottom of the bowl when it is put in the fridge?

[mammabooh]

3 cups thinly-sliced cucumbers
1 small thinly-sliced onion
1/4 cup vinegar
2 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon celery seed
dash salt and pepper

Mix all dressing ingredients together and then pour over veggies. Marinate for 2 hours before serving.

[tjmomof4]

I make the same vinegar, sugar, salt salad, but use dill instead of celery seed. And no, you don't need enough dressing to cover the cukes. Just a little bit stirred in, covered, and refrigerated will do the trick.

[charliesbugs]

Thanks for the recipe,Billie. Sounds yummy and I have to pick more cukes again today and am tired of doing dills and sweet pickles. I like the sliced with Henri's Tastee original dressing on them. Don't know if any of you can find that dressing. It's even hard to find here-Kroger does have it here.

[mammabooh]

Originally Posted by charliesbugs

Thanks for the recipe,Billie.

You're welcome!

[turtlehead]

mamabooh, I've been wanting to find that exact recipe, and here it is! Thanks for posting it.

[mammabooh]

Originally Posted by turtlehead

mamabooh, I've been wanting to find that exact recipe, and here it is! Thanks for posting it.

You're welcome too! It's out of my Better Homes and Garden cookbook that I received as a wedding present almost 21 years ago.