Extra Schmaltz!

I just made this salad up, but it turned out so well as an accompaniment to Indian food that I thought I should post it. It's quick and easy to make, and for those who don't like American cucumbers, you can often get the "burpless" smaller varieties at Middle Eastern and Indian grocery stores. Ingredients 1 large cucumber, skinned and cut into thick slices (halved depending on cucumber size) 1/2 tsp cumin seeds 1/2 tsp black peppercorns 2 Tbsp rice vinegar 2 Tbsp warm water 1/2 tsp sugar 1/2 tsp minced fresh cilantro Grind cumin seeds and black peppercorns in a mortar and pestle. Pour in vinegar, water, sugar, and mix. Pour over cucumber slices, and garnish with cilantro.

This is a favorite of Melanie's and is definitely an example of something that is greater than the sum of its parts: Cucumbers, skinned and diced Tomatoes, skinned, de-seeded and diced as well White vinegar Vegetable oil Salt Combine. Enjoy.

Here is our classic summer barbecue cucumber salad recipe. The recipe is pretty approximate, but here goes: Cucumbers, peeled, and slices into rounds White onion, chopped into 1.5" or so long chunks. Sour Cream Salt Pepper Sprinkle a large amount of salt on the cucumbers and onions, let them sit for a little while, then add sour cream, and possibly more salt, and pepper. Let sit for a couple hours for best results. Use more salt than you think.

It's grill season and I think it's time to post a fantastic marinade recipe from my former roommate JiJY. She brings this sweet, sticky, Asian style marinade from her homeland, Thailand. It can be used on any meat, but is particularly good on fatty pork. I recommend cooking it on the grill, but in a pinch you can use a George Foreman grill or even cook it as a stir-fry. I try to marinate overnight with this recipe, but it's still good if you can only get a few hours in. At some point I'll scan this in, but for the time being you should click on the photo for big: Innit cute, folks? The marinade should be pretty sticky and heavy on the sugar and black pepper. I like to use pork or beef on skewers and serve it with sticky rice and: Thai Quick-Pickled Cucumbers Equal parts: rice vinegar water sugar 1/2 teaspoon salt dash fish sauce (optional) Asian cucumbers, sliced thinly red chile peppers, minced shallots, chopped dry roasted peanuts, ...