how to make spaghetti sauce using tomato paste | Family Cuisine

Fresh Tomato Cucumber Salad garnished with red onion and fresh basil. One of our favorite fresh and healthy side dishes!

There’s almost nothing I love more than fresh garden tomatoes. Come tomato season, you’ll find me snacking on all things tomato including Tomato Basil Mozzarella Toast, Tomato Avocado Melt, or a Buddha Bowl with extra tomatoes!

My grandpa had an amazing garden when I was young and we were the happy recipients of TONS of garden vegetables throughout the summer. Fresh garden tomatoes and cucumbers are complete heaven!

For anyone that doesn’t like tomatoes (ahem…I’m talking to you, husband!), I’m convinced they haven’t been exposed to a fresh, juicy garden tomato. There are few things more delicious! My mom would make this salad all the time and the simple fresh flavors and crunch make my mouth water just thinking about it.

How to Make Tomato Cucumber Salad:

• Slice vegetables. Cut your cherry tomatoes in half (or large tomatoes into chunks) and cut your cucumbers into 1/4” coins and add them to a bowl.
• Toss with dressing. Drizzle olive oil and vinegar on top, toss the salad, and season it will red onion and basil. It’s that easy!

Make Ahead Instructions: This salad is easy and freshest when made right before serving, but you can prep it ahead of time if necessary. Cut vegetables and store them separately in the refrigerator. Toss with oil and vinegar when ready to serve.

Which type of Cucumbers are best:

When you are shopping at the grocery store, you may notice a few different types of cucumbers. “Regular” cucumbers have a thicker, more waxy skin and are always the cheapest option. English cucumbers are the long and skinny, wrapped in plastic, and tend to be more expensive. Mini Cucumbers (also known as Persian cucumbers) are similar to English cucumbers, just shorter “snack” size.

Any type of cucumber will work for this salad, but I prefer English cucumbers or mini cucumbers because the thinner skins and seeds taste better and are easier to eat without peeling.

To peel or not to peel? You do not have to peel a regular cucumber or an English cucumber, but you can if you wish (and you may want to if using regular cucumbers with thicker skin)! I love to leave the skin on because it provides the greatest amount of fiber.

Add-In Ideas:

• Cheese: Sprinkle feta cheese crumbles or add fresh mozzarella.
• Chopped Avocado
• Chopped almonds or seeds (almonds, pepitas, sesame seeds)
• Craisins

Consider serving with:

• Chicken tenders
• Chicken burgers
• Kebabs
• Salmon

More Quick & Easy Salads:

• Cucumber Onion Salad
• Citrus Fruit Salad
• Watermelon, Basil, and Feta Salad
• Fresh Fruit Salad

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I originally shared this recipe May 2017. Updated March 2020 with new photos and improved instructions.

Have you tried this recipe?!

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