Sweetie Staff Recipes

Two veggies, you can always count on being available at farmer’s markets, are tomatoes and cucumbers. This fresh, yummy salad is perfect for lunch or dinner on warm summer days.

• 5 tomatoes, sliced (mixed colors and sizes, or heirlooms)
• ¼ C. olive oil
• ¼ C. sherry vinegar
• 12 basil leaves, roughly chopped
• 3 green onions, finely chopped
• 1 small head of lettuce
• 3 cucumbers, peeled and sliced
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Crumbled feta cheese or grated parmesan cheese

Combine tomatoes, oil, vinegar, basil, and green onions in a large bowl. Refrigerate 2 hours. To serve – shred lettuce into a large salad bowl. Arrange tomato mixture and cucumbers on top of the lettuce. Season with salt and pepper. Sprinkle crumbled feta or grated parmesan cheese on top. Toss lightly to blend. Enjoy!

The perfect topper for burgers, hot dogs, or brats. This easy-to-make relish doesn’t need cooking… and you get that wonderful, out-of-the-garden cucumber flavor.

• 3 medium cucumbers
• ¼ C. grated red onion (for color)
• 3 seeded and chopped Roma tomatoes
• ½ tsp. pepper
• 1 ½ tsp. salt
• ¼ C. cider vinegar
• ½ tsp. dill seed
• ½ tsp. celery seed

Chop cucumbers in a food processor. Drain of extra liquid. Add remaining ingredients and mix well. Place in a covered container and chill in the refrigerator for several days to let the flavors blend. Makes about two cups.

Ice cream sundaes are not only a super simple barbeque dessert, but can be one of the most delicious as well… especially if you top any ice cream with this amazing (and easy) chocolate sauce. Linda’s family loves it over cherry vanilla ice cream!

• 1 13-ounce can (1 2/3 C.) evaporated milk
• 1 C. sugar
• 2 1-ounce squares of unsweetened chocolate
• ½ tsp. salt.
• 1 tsp. vanilla extract

Combine milk, sugar, chocolate, and salt in a sauce pan or double boiler. Cook over medium heat until smooth and thick, stirring constantly. Remove from heat. Add vanilla. Place in a covered container and chill. Makes about one pint. Warm slightly in microwave before spooning over your favorite ice cream.