Cucumber Tomato Salad with Sesame Vinaigrette

It’s September already? How did that happen? More importantly, when did that happen? Yes, I realize I am just reiterating what practically every other person who is too old for school is saying, but seriously! When did time start to fly by so fast?

Not that I’m complaining about it being September because that means FALL is coming! I adore this season. I love the smell of apple orchards and the nip of a crisp morning on your face and drinking mulled cider and wearing boots and scarves and chunky sweaters and have I mentioned boots? Already the mornings are dawning cooler – which The Husband and I are loving while we drink coffee on our balcony and do our morning devotion together.

Oh – and speaking of coffee – I also cannot wait for pumpkin spiced coffee and mint mochas from Caribou Coffee. Mint Mocha = my guilty autumn/winter non-paleo pleasure.

But even though I am already gearing up for a multitude of fall appropriate recipes, I’m not quite ready to let go of summer. And so I’ve decided to share a simple salad recipe starring two of my favorites – cucumber and tomato.

To really make this summer dish shine, I recommend using ripe, juicy heirloom tomatoes. The Husband and I made a random roadside produce stand stop last weekend and got some that were just to die for. Regular heirlooms will work, but for this particular showing I used heirloom cherry tomatoes, simply because that’s what I had on hand.

I also recommend using English cucumber because 1) they are adorable and 2) I find them to be crunchier than regular cucumbers and I prefer that in my cucumber salad. Then you toss them together with some sesame oil, rice vinegar, and your favorite seasoning – I used Trader Joe’s 21 seasoning salute – and BAM!

It’s as easy as that.

CUCUMBER TOMATO SALAD WITH SESAME VINAIGRETTE

serves two

prep time: 5 minutes

INGREDIENTS:

3 english cucumbers, sliced

1 cup heirloom cherry tomatoes, halved

3 tbsp sesame oil

1 tbsp rice vinegar

1 tsp Trader Joes 21 seasoning salute (or your favorite all purpose seasoning)

INSTRUCTIONS:

In a small bowl, whisk together oil, vinegar and seasoning and pour over cucumber and tomato. Toss to combine.

PIC