Cool as a Cucumber

Although I'm not exactly Julia (even under the best of circumstances), in the summertime I practically become the Anti-Julia. 

Cooking in the summer (particularly this summer of hot flashes and no air conditioning) just makes me feel like the contestant about to  be booted off of Hell's Kitchen  (I don't even know why I keep referencing this show  - I've only watched 2 episodes - both last season. Then stopped watching when the Marquis de Sade 'host' declared that the losing  team  had to prepare  dinner for everyone, not just in a kitchen with the air conditioning off - but with the heat actually turned on! Aren't there any labor laws that apply to these reality shows? I suppose they figure you know what you're signing on for - but as they keep raising the bar higher with each episode, one of these days someone's going to end up like Running Man  at this rate! All for our viewing pleasure!)  But (as usual) I digress...

So summer and cooking have increasingly become two mutually exclusive concepts for me. Like oil and water. Don't mix. So what's for dinner, you say? Well, even before this summer when my body began threatening to spontaneously combust, my favorite thing for summer - especially this Saturday  - salads! Almost any kind will do (except Waldorf - I'm just not a big fan of apples with mayo on them - shiver).

(click on the Saturday link to see other people's Favorite Thing Saturday)

The other day, Samantha  was kind enough to send me one of her favorite salad recipes - which is a variation of one of my favorites - the cucumber salad!  Made either of these ways

Take 2 cucumbers. Peel and slice (set aside 2 slices). Mix in a 16 oz. container of sour cream, a pinch of dillweed and a sprinkle of Nature Season's (or just a dash of salt and pepper, if you'd rather). Mix thoroughly. Set in fridge to chill.

OR

Take 2 cucumbers. Peel and slice (set aside 2 slices). Slice 2 ripe tomatoes. (my mom used to add sliced  red onions to hers - since I always just picked them out, I don't bother to add them now that she's not here to eat it; but if you like-a the onions,then by all means, Bam! put them in!). Mix it all together with your favorite vinaigrette. Right now I'm loving Trader Giotto's  (that's Trader Joe's little play on words) Italian dressing). Put it in the fridge to chill.

What to do with those 2 slices of cucumber you set aside? While the salad's chilling, go find the coolest place you can to lie down; preferably in a dark room; with the fan blowing on you. Close your eyes. Place one slice on each closed eyelid and Chill - till the salad, and you, are good and ready.

It's the cool thing to do  ; ) 

(Yeah - the illo does look kind of scary - but not as scary as the bags I had under my eyes before I chilled with the cukes!)

Comments

[Paris Parfait]

Love your post and the artwork! And I must try the salad - it's hot as blazes here too.

[Marilyn]

Although I like cukes, they don't sit well in my tummy. But on my eyes? Oh, yes! :)

[lrmanz]

Hi Tinker,
Your pictures and ideas are so darn cute.
Gemma

[judie]

Tinker that is a kewl drawing! I used to do that and it really does work! I don't know why I don't do it any more. Just forgot about it I guess. Maybe I am not pampering myself like I used to. But I do love the art. Girl, you are good!!!