Balsamic Cucumber Tomato Salad.

There are few things better than fresh vegetables in the heart of summer.  Whether they are straight from your garden, or the farmer's market, or your generous neighbor, they just can't be beat!

After a weekend of eating summer event food (think: burgers, beers, cheesecurds) I knew I wanted something light for supper and as lunch the next day.  I also wanted to use up the beautiful cherry tomatoes I had on the counter and some of the cucumbers from the neighbor.  Enter Balsamic Cucumber Tomato Salad.

Balsamic Cucumber Tomato Salad
(Recipe by Me)
1 pint cherry tomatoes (quartered)
2 small cucumbers (chopped)
1/2 small onion (thinly sliced)
3 tablespoon Tastefully Simple Balsamic & Basil Dipping Oil
2 tablespoon balsamic vinegar
Salt/pepper to taste

Toss ingredients together to coat with oil/vinegar and salt/pepper.  Serve as a side or enjoy as a light meal.

I LOVED this.  Even my picky husband ate some and my nearly-two year old picked out the cucumbers and then the tomatoes.  :)

SIDE NOTE:  I am happy to help you with any Tastefully Simple needs you may have.  I am an independent consultant who loves the products.  While they can all stand alone, my favorite use is incorporating them into delicious dishes beyond their stand-alone use :)

Broccoli-Cauliflower Salad.

I've had many of broccoli-cauliflower salad in my life, but my favorite ones have been from deli cases that don't share recipes.  Fast forward to the end of June when I came across one on the internet that looked pretty promising.  I did a screen shot of the recipe and sent it my husband with the subject YUM.

I tried it and fell in love.  And then it sat in the fridge overnight and it was even better.  YUM.

Broccoli-Cauliflower Salad.
(Recipe Adapted by Holly)

1 1/2 heads broccoli (cut into bite size pieces)
1/2 head cauliflower (cut into bite size pieces)
1 cup mayonnaise
1 cup sour cream
1/2 cup sugar
1 package bacon (cooked and crumbled)
1 cup shredded cheese

Combine mayonnaise, sour cream, and sugar.  Pour over broccoli/cauliflower mix.  Stir to coat.  Add bacon and stir again.  Refrigerate for several hours or overnight.  Stir in cheese just before serving.

If you are wondering what size package for the bacon: it's bacon; the bigger the better!  :)  For real though, I made this a couple times already and have used as much as half pound to as little as a few ounces.  How much do you like bacon?  :)

That's it!  It's simple and so good.  I've never been a mayonnaise person, but I'm telling you it is worth it for this recipe.