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Cucumbers & Basil July 2017

I have more Basil than I can use right away so I'm going to freeze some.  This is one of my six plants.
Here's the procedure I'll try:
(From the web)


My cucumbers are growing faster than I can eat them. Here are three from the past two days.
I'll try to pickle some of them by using this recipe from Easy Summertime Sweet Pickles | McCormick


EASY SUMMERTIME SWEET PICKLES

These easy-to-prepare sweet pickles require no special jars or vacuum sealing since they are stored in the refrigerator. Perfect for when you have a bounty of cucumbers.

INGREDIENTS
2 cups thinly sliced cucumbers (1/4-inch thick)
1/2 cup thinly sliced sweet onion
1 cup cider vinegar
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon McCormick® Celery Seed
1 teaspoon McCormick® Mustard Seed
1 teaspoon non-iodized salt

PREPARATION
1. Place cucumber slices and onions in medium glass bowl. Set aside. Mix remaining ingredients in medium saucepan. Bring to boil on medium-high heat, stirring to dissolve sugar and salt. Reduce heat to low; simmer 5 minutes.
2. Pour hot liquid and spices over cucumbers and onions. Cool slightly. Cover.
3. Refrigerate pickles at least 2 hours before serving. Store in tightly covered container in refrigerator up to 2 months.


I've heard about cucumber soup and cucumber sandwiches.

If you know a cucumber soup that's not with sour cream or yogurt, please let me know.  I'll also search the web.




What's the best way to make cucumber sandwiches?
I found these two:

1. The Traditional Cucumber Sandwich is composed of paper-thin slices of cucumber placed between two thin slices of crustless, lightly buttered white bread. Wikipedia




2. English Tea Cucumber Sandwiches
Place cucumber slices between 2 paper towels set in a colander. Allow liquid to drain, about 10 minutes.
Mix cream cheese, mayonnaise, garlic powder, onion salt, and Worcestershire sauce in a bowl until smooth. 
Spread cream cheese mixture evenly on one side of each bread slice. Divide cucumber slices over half of the bread slices; sprinkle lemon pepper on cucumber. Stack the other half of the bread slices with spread sides down over the cucumber slices to make sandwiches.

Any recipes you'd like to share?


Comments

  1. Hi John :) Your basil looks great! We had a wee bit of sunny weather the last few days and my second basil plant is thriving, so I'm very happy about that! I doubt I'll reach levels where I have to preserve them though, but if I do, I'll likely dehydrate them. Oh the cucumber sandwich! My boyfriend loves those, although we do put a wee bit of mayo on ours!

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  2. Basil is my favorite herb. I use it a lot. I keep cucumber slices in the fridge for something to nibble in the afternoon.

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  3. Here's a recipe for Curried Cucumber and Tomato Soup: Chop 1 medium seedless English cucumber (peeled) and 1 medium ripe tomato (peeled) into medium chunks. In a blender or food processor, combine cucumber and tomato with 1 tsp chopped onion, 1 small clove garlic (chopped), 1/4 tsp curry powder, a pinch each of nutmeg, salt and pepper, 1/2 c water, 1 tbsp cider or wine vinegar, and 2 to 4 drops hot pepper sauce, plus 2 tsp sugar or the equivalent in artificial sweetener. Puree until smooth. Pour into large bowl or pitcher and chill at least 1 hour. Makes 1 litre (4 cups, 4 servings. Each serving 16 calories. (From Kay Spicer's "Light and Easy Choices" which was published in cooperation with the Canadian Diabetes Association.)

    I love a plain cucumber and mayo sandwich! It says summer like no other sandwich to me.

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  4. I love the smell of basil! Definitely one of my favourites. Lots of homemade goodies over at your place.

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  5. When I worked produce, I always likes smelling basil

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  6. I love basil and use it often. I keep a pant of it growing in my kitchen.

    Here's a Sweet and sour Cucumber Salad recipe.
    1/2 cup white vinegar, 1/3 cup salad oil, 2 Tablespoons sugar, 1 teaspoon salt, 1/4 teaspoon white pepper,
    1/4 teaspoon oregano, 3 medium to large cucumbers thinly sliced.
    Combine all ingredients. Cover and refrigerate at least 45 minutes to bland flavors.
    Makes about 12 servings, about 70 calories each.

    ReplyDelete

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