Fresh Veggie Salad Mix Minus the Lettuce

What do you take to a cook-out on a hot summer day?  Cole slaw? Potato Salad?  I’m sure someone else will bring that.  I want to bring something light, flavorful, and delicious.  I attended a gathering at a friend’s house Saturday, and wanted to mix things up a bit with the dish I prepared.  Every Saturday, I go to the local farmer’s market to see what is fresh and locally grown.  I hit the jackpot this time.  I bought some meaty and tasty cucumbers, tomatoes, and asparagus.  I got the idea to chop up these veggies  (minus the asparagus- that’s all mine) plus some from the grocery store along with a light and healthy dressing.  I wanted to make a zesty horseradish mustard vinaigrette, but I know some people don’t like that sort of thing, so I decided to make two batches: one with said vinaigrette, and another with a more traditional Italian dressing.  I got good reviews on both.  These were super simple and I will definitely make them again and again.  The Italian one, I actually made again for another cookout for Sunday.  I didn’t measure anything, but here is basically what I did.

Salad One

1 cucumber

1 stalk celery

2 Carrots – not baby

3 radishes

½ onion

2 garlic cloves

Horseradish mustard

Prepared Horseradish – not the cream

Olive oil

Red wine vinegar

Salt

Pepper

1.        Whisk together horseradish mustard, horseradish, olive oil, and vinegar to taste.  Grind in salt and pepper to taste.

2.       Dice or chop cucumber, celery, carrot, and onion.  Mince garlic. 

3.       Combine all ingredients and top with fresh parsley.  Chill in the refrigerator. 

Note: It takes some time in the refrigerator for the flavors to come together.

Salad Two

1 cucumber

2 tomatoes

½ onion

Olive oil

Red wine vinegar

Italian seasoning

*Crushed red pepper flakes 

Salt

Pepper

1.        Whisk together olive oil, vinegar, and Italian seasoning to taste.  Grind in salt and pepper to taste.

2.       Dice cucumber, tomatoes, and onion.  Mince garlic. 

3.       Combine all ingredients and top with fresh parsley.

Note:  It takes some time in the refrigerator for the flavors to come together.

*I like to add a bit of heat to my dishes.  Omit if desired.