The Dog Days of Summer... Salad(s)

Ad libbing in the kitchen -

surprising summer salad dressings

Last Fall, my husband I spent two divine weeks in southern France and northern Spain, and visited dear friends who own a home near Biarritz. Both Marc and Beth love to cook, especially with local fresh foods. One night, I was tasked with making the salad - but discovered (too late) we were out of olive oil! I felt like I was on a reality cooking show, and quickly had to come up with a tasty dressing. With a little ingenuity and some help from their garden, I created a yogurt-based dressing with herbs, and drizzled it over fresh local tomatoes and cucumbers. It was a hit, and today, my Tomato Cucumber Salad with Yogurt Herb Dressing has become a summer staple.

RECIPE

Tomato Cucumber Salad with Yogurt Herb Dressing

Note that the proportions in this recipe are approximate. Feel free to add more or less vinegar, depending on how tart you like your dressing. You can use other fresh herbs that you might have on hand - basil, tarragon, thyme, etc. - either in addition to or in place of the dill and mint that I used. So, be creative - and, as always, enjoy!

Ingredients:

1/2 cup Greek yogurt
2 tablespoons tarragon vinegar
1 teaspoon lemon zest
1 teaspoon chopped garlic
1 tablespoon chopped fresh dill
1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
3 cups shredded butter lettuce
4 large ripe tomatoes
1 large ripe cucumber (peeled if not English hothouse cucumber)

Click here to see complete recipe

Behind the Scenes:

A Well Seasoned Kitchen Remodel Continues

Truth be told...it's hard living without a kitchen. The last few weeks we've spent lots of time traveling around in our Airstream trailer, visiting friends, enjoying the summer, and discovering lots of new places to eat. And fly-fishing, thanks to a gift from my brother. But alas, all good "vacations" must come to an end, and in my next newsletter, we'll have more to report on the progress we're making with our kitchen remodel... Follow me for more info on our remodel - on my blog, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest and Instagram - #wskremodel

UPCOMING EVENTS

Join me in the kitchen at venues around town and around the country this summer and fall. Keep an eye on the website for details.

COOKBOOK

An absolute must-have cookbook.
This is a wonderful cookbook full of gorgeous photographs and practical comforting recipes with a twist. -Shari E.

"The recipes are simple and delicious and look like you have spent hours in the kitchen preparing them! With the recipes in this book, I feel like a gourmet cook and it is so easy. - Sharan Wilson

"A Well-Seasoned Kitchen deserves a prime spot on any cook's shelf. The everyday recipes are simply delicious." - Pat Miller, Gabby Gourmet