Summer Garden Goodies I

Summertime...late July, when the garden starts producing lots of yummy things to eat.   Here's a couple recipes for you.  One is an Oriental Sesame Green Bean recipe that I came up with, the other is a Cucumber salad that my mom always made, and my favorite way to have it is over mashed red new potatoes.  Mmmm!

Cucumber Salad

3-4 medium cukes, peeled and sliced
3-4 green onions chopped or 1/2 medium onion, sliced thin
Head of Dill (optional)
Vinegar
Water
Sour Cream
Mayo
Salt
Pepper

Put the cukes and onions in a bowl.  Add vinegar just to cover, then add about 1/4 as much again in water.  Add a tablespoon of Salt.   Let sit for at LEAST an hour...two is better.

Drain cukes and onions.  In bowl, mix cukes, onions, chopped head of dill, a large dollup of sour cream and about half that in mayo.  Stir, adjust salt and pepper to taste, let sit at least a half hour before serving.  Serve as a side with summer meals like burgers, BLT's, or my favorite way, over mashed new potatoes.


Oriental Green Bean Salad

1 lb fresh green beans, ends trimmed.
Oriental sesame oil
Soy sauce
Olive oil
Sesame seeds
Salt
Sugar

Steam the green beans in the microwave for about 5 minutes.   In the meantime, heat up a tablespoon of olive oil, and a tablespoon of sesame oil in a wok or fry pan.  When beans are done steaming, add a tablespoon of soy sauce to the wok and toss in the green beans.  Add sesame seeds to your liking.  Stir frequently on medium high until beans are 'done', seeds are toasted and the liquid is almost gone.  Sprinkle in about a teaspoon of sugar and salt to taste, stir constantly til beans just start to brown.   Serve.