Quick Greek Cucumber Salad

It's hot out there right now, so something that is quick and refreshing and requires no heat is in order. Serve on the side with leftover grilled chicken, or steak and you have dinner in less than 15 minutes. I use the baby cucumbers, or persian cucumbers, because they have few seeds. There are very few ingredients, so use the best quality ingredients you can find.

Serves 4

Salad
4 cups chopped cucumbers
1 cup halved cherry tomatoes
1/2 cup mixed olives, preferably pitted
1/2 cup thinly sliced red onion
2 oz. crumbled good quality feta cheese
2 Tablespoons chopped fresh basil (I used fresh flat leaf parsley since that's what I had on hand)

Dressing
1 Tablespoon red wine vinegar
1 Tablespoon good quality extra virgin olive oil
1 Tablespoon finely chopped fresh oregano
1 teaspoon dijon mustard
1/4 tsp salt, or to taste
freshly ground black pepper, to taste

Whisk dressing ingredients in a large bowl. Add cucumbers, tomatoes, olives, onions. Mix. Garnish with feta and fresh basil.

Chinese Chicken Salad

This is a really quick recipe, because we will utilize a good quality rotisserie chicken. It's pretty much made with all pantry ingredients. I did have to buy the hoisin sauce. You need to serve this salad immediately after dressing as the dressing will break down the cabbage quickly. 

Serves 4

Salad
2 cups shredded carrots
1 head napa cabbage, chopped
1/2 cup cilantro, chopped
2 Tablespoons EACH, black and white sesame seeds ( I didn't have black)
1/2 cup cashews, optional, but it adds a nice crunch and another dimension of flavor
1 good quality rotisserie chicken, torn into shreds


Dressing
1/4 cup soy sauce, or tamari if you are gluten free
1/4 cup white wine vinegar
3 Tablespoons finely minced ginger
3 Tablespoons olive oil
2 Tablespoons hoisin sauce
1 Tablespoon toasted sesame oil
1 teaspoon Sriacha sauce, optional
1/2 sea salt, or to taste since the soy sauce is pretty salty ( I didn't add salt)
5 chopped green onions, white and green part

Mix all dressing ingredients in a jar with a tight fighting lid, shake vigorously to combine. Set aside.

Mix all salad ingredients in a large bowl and toss with a little bit of the dressing. Pour onto a large platter, or individual bowls to serve. Serve with the remaining salad dressing.