KISS
Keep It Simple Silly!
I work all day as many of you do and when I get home more times than not, I am dead on my feet. I think it's even more stressful for me because I am in the food business and have three part-time jobs (really four) that all involve food in some way, shape or form. My first job is of course my personal chef job. Second is working a local chain grocery store where I work four days a week in two different departments. Third, I do a food demo once a month on a Saturday for about three hours. I have been doing this one for three years. The fourth job is only one day a year (at present) teaching ServSafe classes to personal chefs who attend my association's national conference once a year. So you can see that my mind is going a thousand different directions at once; sort of like being the mother of small children.

I may from time to time use things that aren't homemade and come from a jar. I know, it's awful, but you have to do what you have to do. Last night was a "jar" night. I used to Newman's spaghetti sauce and ground beef to make spaghetti. I really didn't feel like a salad and have something from the garden that I needed. So dinner was basically on the fly.

I bought three basil plants from organic store at the farmer's market and they finally took off. I am so afraid that they will go to seed so I am thinking of anything but Pesto to use up the basil while it's pretty. While I think Newman's spaghetti sauce is great, I needed to kick up the flavor a notch so I picked some of our basil and threw it in.

Then I have to use these.
Yes, they did come from our little suburan garden. I am shocked at how fast they are maturing so I am searching for lots of ways to make recipes with cucumbers. This is one that just came to me. I know I must have eaten a version somewhere in life and remembered it was a mixture of flavors. Luckily I had all the ingredients that I thought I needed.

I made a cucumber and tomato salad. I was lucky enough to find two vine ripe tomatoes and the rest of the ingredients are usually on hand. I used some apple cider vinegar, a pinch of granulated sugar, canola oil, salt and pepper and some dried dill weed. All those ingredients were whipped up in a small bowl and then poured over quarter sliced cucumbers, tomoatoes and some small diced onions. I let everything sit in the refrigerator for about 30 minutes, gave it a toss and I had my side for dinner.

As usual I can not get the final picture to post. I have tried all day but Blogger will not let me post it. So if I can go back and amend the post at a later date I will post the final picture of the Cucumber and Tomato Salad.