• Salad
  • 2 heads iceberg lettuce, cleaned and cut into 8 wedges
  • 1 cup sweet grape tomatoes, halved
  • 1 quarter English cucumber, sliced
  • Dressing
  • 1 English cucumber
  • 1 Vidalia onion, quartered
  • 1 1/2 cups mayonnaise
  • 1/2 cup sour cream
  • 1/4 cup fresh parsley, chopped
  • 1/4 cup fresh cilantro, chopped
  • 4 tablespoons Hidden Valley Ranch Seasoning & Salad Dressing Mix
  • Zest and juice of one lemon
  • 1/2 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper

The instant my food processor began whirling around grating my cucumber, the fresh smell indicated that this was going to be a great salad dressing! There’s simply no mistaking the smells and colors of summer. With cucumbers popping up in so many gardens and piled high at local farmer’s markets it was easy to choose a cucumber recipe for Food Network’s Summer Fest 2012.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summer Fest is a season long franchise where FN editors team up with blogs to share tips and recipes about produce like tomatoes, peppers, summer greens, peaches, cucumbers and more. You can join the conversation on Twitter and Facebook. For more details or if you’d like to participate in this season’s Summer Fest, please email FNDish@aol.com.

I decided to share my recipe for Wedge Salad with Cucumber Ranch Salad Dressing.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

In a food processor (or with a hand grater) grate the cucumber and the onion. Place cucumber, onion and all of the flavorful juices in a large mixing bowl.  There’s your freshness.

Now for the creamy part: Add your mayonnaise, sour cream, parsley, cilantro, seasoning mix, lemon zest and juice and black pepper. Mix well. Place in large glass jar or container and store in the refrigerator.

Arrange your salad wedges, tomatoes and cucumbers onto a platter or on individual salad plates. Liberally adorn your salad wedges with your creamy cucumber dressing. This salad is truly a feast on the eyes and is both elegant and fun!

From our hearts to yours,

Elise and family

You would love some of our family’s favorite cucumber recipes:

Raita, a cool cucumber mint sauce that goes great with spicy foods

Refreshing Green Tea Cucumber Pops

Lunchbox Makeovers with Elise, here you’ll find a great wrap filled with hummus, crisp cucumber slices and grated carrot

Greek Tuna Salad

Be sure to pour yourself a glass of sweet tea and visit my other friends who have also shared their favorite cucumber recipes with you, too!

What’s Gaby Cooking: Cucumber, Herb and Pita Salad

The Sensitive Epicure: Chinese Style Cucumbers 

Ingredients, Inc.: Easiest Cucumber Salad

Virtually Homemade: Cucumber Strawberry Cooler

From My Corner of Saratoga: Marinated Cucumber Salad

The Cultural Dish: Pasta With Roasted Shrimp and Cucumbers

Daily*Dishin: Southern Benedictine – Creamy Cucumber Spread

Delicious Lean: Cucumber Jicama Salad

Napa Farmhouse 1885: Cucumber and Avocado Open-Face Sandwiches

And Love It, Too: Fermented Spicy Garlic-Dill Cukes and Zukes

FN Dish: No-Cook Cucumber Recipes