Greek Pasta Salad

Could also marinate some chicken in a second bath of the vinaigrette (minus the olive oil) and grill it up for some protein.

Source: My Recipes

Ingredients

• 
  Preparation
• Dressing:
• 2 cloves garlic, finely minced
• 1 teaspoon dried oregano
• 1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
• 1/4 cup red wine vinegar
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon pepper
• 1/2 cup olive oil
• Salad:
• Salt
• 1 pound gemelli or other short pasta
• 3/4 medium English cucumber, peeled, halved lengthwise, cut into 1/4-inch pieces
• 1 dry pint cherry or grape tomatoes, halved
• 1/2 large red onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup pitted kalamata olives, halved
• 6 ounces feta, crumbled 
• 3 cups firmly packed baby spinach 

1. 1. Make dressing: In a small bowl, whisk together garlic, oregano, mustard, vinegar, salt, pepper and olive oil until well combined.
2. 
   
3. 2. Make salad: Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add pasta and cook until al dente, about 8 minutes, or as label directs. Drain, rinse under cold water and transfer to a bowl. Add remaining ingredients, toss with dressing and serve.

Cucumber Dip

This is a yummy dip from Mara-Liisa. My only tweak was to add a clove of minced garlic.

Ingredients:

● 1/2 cup mayonnaise or half sour cream (I use sour cream)

● 1/4 cup onion, finely diced

● 1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded, finely diced

● 1 package cream cheese, softened

● salt and pepper to taste (generally needs a good amount of salt)

● 1 garlic clove, minced

Directions:

Mix ingredients and use salt and pepper to taste. Best chilled overnight before serving. Serve with veggies, pita chips, etc.

*Make sure to seed the cucumbers first or it will make the dip too watery.

Simple Cucumber Salad

This is a simple, but yummy cucumber recipe from my friend Kyla.

A perfect summer side!

Ingredients:

2 large cucumbers , thinly sliced

1/4 red onion, thinly sliced

1/4 cup vinegar

1/2 cup sugar

1/4 tsp salt

Directions:

1. Wash and thinly slice cucumbers and put them in a medium bowl. Add thinly sliced onion.

2. Mix sauce ingredients (vinegar, sugar, and salt) and pour over veggies.

3. Refrigerate salad to let flavors soak in and marinate.

Enjoy!