5 Minute Thai Cucumber Salad

OK. 5 minutes depending on your knife skills. But it's quick. And easy. And way cheaper than anything you'll get at a restaurant. For those who need their vegetables sugar-coated, this is a delicious and healthy way to get at least one serving a day.

At the very least, you can make this with 3 ingredients: cucumbers, vinegar, and sugar. With a couple more ingredients, it's fantastic. 

Clockwise from left: Shallots, radishes, cucumbers, bell pepper

Preparation

Very thinly slice one small shallot. Add to a medium-sized bowl. Drizzle with rice vinegar and sprinkle with a little sugar. Stir, and let sit while you prep the other vegetables. 

Slice a 2-3" piece of English cucumber in half lengthwise, then slice thin half moons. 

Slice a couple radishes as thinly as possible.

Dice a little red bell pepper. 

Stir the cucumber and radish into the shallots & vinegar. Adjust seasoning (if it's too acidic, add a little more sugar). Garnish with the bell pepper. Serve immediately. 

This salad is best made fresh, as the veggies will become limp if left sitting for more than an hour. Keeping rice vinegar in the pantry is a great idea. It's soft and balanced, makes great dressings, and adds dimension to all sorts of dishes. 

It's the Time of the Season for Loving...Your Vegetables!

Spring. A time for renewal. And nothing quite compares with the joy of going to the market and filling a basket with beautiful fresh produce. I hope my Mom is proud that I have always loved my fruits and vegetables. The woman cooked for a family of six every day, and we seldom ate anything processed (though we begged, and occasionally got our way after wearing the poor thing down). 

If you would like to add more fresh produce to your diet, keep an eye on this blog. Throughout the spring and summer I will be adding posts for simple and delicious vegetarian items, using seasonal ingredients in both traditional and unexpected ways. I love trying new things in the kitchen, and hope I can inspire you to do the same. 

I welcome your questions and comments!

Where to Buy
One of the reasons I choose to live in a bustling area of San Francisco, is the ability to shop for my produce daily. Just a few blocks from my home is a wonderful Mediterranean market featuring oodles of varieties of fresh produce, and a surprisingly vast selection of dairy and pantry items. My family has shopped at this market for decades because the owners are there every day, ensuring the prices are as enticing as the cornucopia of goods. 

I encourage you to explore your neighborhood. Grab some bags, hop on your bike, or stroll the streets to see what surrounds you. Check the right side of this blog for suggestions on where to shop, find farmers' markets, and see what's in season in the San Francisco Bay Area. 

Have a happy and healthy day!