BACONSLUT'S CREAMY CUCUMBER AND RADISH FARMER'S MARKET SALAD

I've been grooving on this regularly lately.  Tiz the season!  Sooooo cool and refreshing.  You horz know that measuring makes me stabby, so this comes to you free-balled, as usual.  ;) 

The cukes:  The STAH

     If you get 'em from the farmer's market, screw peeling 'em as they aren't waxed.  Also, screw seeding them.  Slice them thinly, layer them, sprinkled with kosher or sea salt between layers, inside of a colander set over an accommodating bowl.  Let them release their water for about 30 minutes.  Rinse with water and squeeze gently before lobbing into a fresh bowl. 

The radishes:  The co-stah

     Slice very thin, and toss them into the cuke bowl.

The sweet onion:  Best supporting actah

     Slice thinly and quarter.  Lob into the cuke and radish bowl.

The dressing:  The directah

     To taste, swirlinate some Greek yogurt with a tiny bit of half and half or milk to thin very slightly.  To that, add a bit of lemon juice, honey, fresh or dried dill, and freshly ground pepper. 

Serve well chilled.  This salad doesn't keep well, so plan to use it that day. 

Florida-style Fish Tacos

Mango Salsa Recipe

Ingredients

• 1 ripe mango, peeled, pitted, and diced (about 1 1/2 cup)
• 1/2 medium red onion, finely chopped
• 1 Jalapeño chile, green pepper or red pepper, diced within an inch of it's life.
• 1 small cucumber, peeled and diced (about 1 cup)
• 3 Tbsp fresh cilantro leaves, chopped
• 3 Tbsp fresh lime juice
• Salt and pepper to taste

If you don't know how to dice a mango, you lay it on a counter, then slice it open around the seed at the 'equator'.  Place it in the palms of your hands and twist in opposite directions.  Score the flesh as close to the skin as possible then push the bottom center of the skin up like you are putting it inside-out.  Cut the spikes.  Take the other side of the mango and remove the seed and do the same.

Here's somewhat the same technique on youtube

Combine all of the ingredients in a bowl. Season to taste with salt and pepper. If the salsa ends up being a little too hot or acidic for your taste, you can temper it by adding some diced avocado.

Cook some white flaky fish (talapia, mahi-mahi, etc) by marinated it with lime juice, salt and pepper then putting it in a pan with a little oil.  Flake the fish and put on a white tortilla and top with the salsa.  

Rotini with Fresh Tomatoes, Basil and Parmesan

You can use regular rotini  or vegetable pasta to make this dish, both are fine. If you are in a rush, this only takes a few minutes to prepare.

1/2 lb Rotini

2 tbsp Virgin Olive Oil

4        Green Onions, chopped

4        Tomatoes, coarsely chopped

3-4     Cloves of Garlic, minced

1 cup  Strips or Cubes of Chicken (optional)

1 cup  Fresh Parsley, coarsely chopped

1/4 cup Fresh Basil, coarsely choopped

1/2 cup Parmesan Cheese, freshly grated

Some Salt and Freshly Ground Pepper

Cook pasta with some salt and a drop of oil until it is al dente and drain. In a saucepan, heat oil on high heat. Add onions, tomatoes and garlic and stir for 2 to 3 minutes. Tomatoes should be cooked quickly to avoid over-cooking. Add rotini, chicken (optional) and stir in parsley, basil and parmesan cheese. Reduce heat to medium and cook for another couple of minutes or until warm. Add salt and pepper to taste. If you like, you can  add some sliced olives and sprinkle with some feta cheese.  Serves 4.