Monday, September 5, 2016

Salad without Lettuce or Tomatoes!



Happy Labor Day!


While today marks the end of summer for many of us, it's really the day we should look back on the people who built this country. The ones we never heard of and probably never will. The people who went to work every day in factories, or built the railroads or the amazing skyscrapers. They weren't rich and they often had dangerous jobs.

When I built my house, I did a little bit of everything. I laid tile, I built a concrete block wall, I painted, and tried my hand at a little bit of framing. Of course, that doesn't begin to compare to what laborers really do. But it certainly gave me a new appreciation for the people who work construction. What was the hardest job of all? Working with stone. I reserved a small wall and put the stone on it myself. Why is it so hard? That stone is heavy! Just carrying it to the wall is exhausting. It took me three days to build that wall. And every single day, I was covered in mortar from head to toe. Several T-shirts and pairs of sneakers lost their lives in the process.

So today, when you kick back with a frosty drink, look around you. Because someone built the dock, or the street, or the building in which you live. Raise your glass to them today in thanks.

And now-a recipe.

I confess that I make quite a few dishes that I don't deem worthy of posting on Mystery Lovers' Kitchen. Recently I made a blueberry upside down cake that was just way too sweet. But I thought it would work with bananas. Ick. It just wasn't a good recipe.

This recipe came very close to falling into the not worthy category. After all, is it really a recipe when all you do is chop veggies? When I first tried it, I thought it was okay but nothing special. Hours later, I ate it for dinner and changed my mind completely. The truth is that I would make it again. And that makes it worthy, I think.

I confess that I use Mystery Lovers' Kitchen as my own handy dandy recipe reference. No misplaced scraps of paper. I know my recipes are here and often look them up to make them again.

So what changed my mind? The flavors need a few hours to meld. I made it at three in the afternoon, and ate it for dinner six hours later. What a difference! The bacon makes the dish. It added just the right saltiness, and even though it doesn't contain much bacon, only four slices, the flavor penetrates and changes the dish.

I began this recipe in an attempt to use up cucumbers. It's the end of the summer, and while our tomatoes did not have a blockbuster yield, we're up to our ears in cucumbers and red peppers. Peppers freeze very well, so they're going into freezer bags. Just wash, dry, slice and freeze. When you need them in the winter, pop them into the dish you're making. They're not as pretty thawed, but they can be used that way, too.


Cucumbers, though, are very watery. There are tons of recipes on line about pickling them before freezing them. Um, maybe. I'll let you know if I try. But the point is that we're eating a lot of cucumbers. I'm not joking when I say we like them best when they're small. They make a great snack fresh from the vine.

What do I like about this recipe?

1. You're eating your veggies! So healthy!
2. It's very flexible. Don't like black beans? Use kidney beans. Add cilantro if you're a fan.
3. Except for the bacon, you don't have to turn on the oven. Easy and cool!
4. Taking it to work for lunch? Add a cup of quinoa for protein.
5. You can make it in advance and nothing wilts even though it's already dressed!

Cucumber Harvest Salad

4 slices bacon
1 10-ounce package frozen corn
2 cups diced cucumber (about one large cucumber)
1 15-ounce can black beans
1/4 cup chopped onion
3/4 cup red pepper, in bite-sized pieces (about 1 red pepper)
cilantro (optional)

Cook the bacon. Spread the corn on paper towels so it can thaw. (Bacon and corn can be prepared in advance.) If you have a grocery store cucumber, you may wish to peel off the waxed exterior. Cut the cucumber into small pieces and place in a large bowl. Add black beans, onion, and red pepper. Crumble the bacon into the bowl and add the thawed corn. (If you're a fan of cilantro, chop and add.) Stir to combine. Dress with your favorite dressing and allow to sit about six hours before serving.


Honey Dressing

4 tablespoons olive oil
2 teaspoons apple cider vinegar
1 tablespoon honey
1/2 teaspoon salt
pepper to taste

Place everything in a small bowl. Whisk together with a mini-whisk. Adjust ingredients to taste.


Colorful! Just toss it in a big bowl.
Makes a lovely side dish (or light dinner!)

It's that time of year again. Halloween is coming. Have you read The Diva Haunts the House? I'm going to pick one lucky winner, who can chose between these two books. Leave a comment with your email address and preferred book to enter. 

Good Luck and Happy Labor Day!

54 comments:

  1. What a tasty sounding recipe! And thanks for the chance to win 'A Diva' book. It is a new series to me!
    karen(dot)kenyon(at)rogers(dot)com

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  2. Looks very refreshing. I always come up with something interesting when I am trying to use one particular ingredient up. Thanks for the giveaway. I would love to win The Diva Haunts the House.
    sallycootie(at)gmail(dot)com

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  3. Wonderful recipe! And my preferred book is The Diva Haunts The House - sounds like an awesome read. EMS591@aol.com

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  4. looks amazing. -mollie b. iemercedez@aol.com

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  5. This salad looks so fantastic!! Everything I love (except onion and Cilantro) and I will be making it! I love the Diva books and have read The Diva Haunts the House, so I would love a copy of The Diva Serves High Tea!

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  6. The salad sounds great and adding the Diva Haunts the House to my collection(one I am actually missing in the Middle) would also be great...thank you for the recipe and the chance to win, Diane

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  7. The recipe sounds so good. I can't wait to try it, if I am chosen the winner I would love to read The Diva Serves High Tea. Thank you for the opportunity,

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  8. Cucumber salad happens to have all my favorite ingredients. Have to give this variation a try. Thanks. Thanks to for the chance to get a Diva book. Have not read this series yet. So Diva Serves High Tea for me if drawn Della at deepotter@peoplepc.com

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  9. The diva haunts the house. This is so Halloween.I know I'd love it.
    judytucker1947@gmail.com

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  10. The Diva Serves High Tea and the salad sounds great!!

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  11. So very pretty.
    Peppers don't like me (or, perhaps, they like me too much and keep coming back to say Hi) so I may try cherry tomatoes.
    libbydodd at comcast dot net

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  12. The Diva Haunts the House would be my choice. I love seasonal themed mysteries. dbahn(at)iw(dot)net

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  13. I would love Diva Haunts a House, loving this recipe & mystery books are one of my favorites. Thanks for this generous giveaway. Happy Labor Day! lindamay4852@yahoo.com

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  14. Mary Brockhoff mbcncc@gmail.comSeptember 5, 2016 at 11:05 AM

    I would love to win The Diva Haunts The House. It's perfect for this time of year and getting in the mood for Halloween.

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  15. This sounds so fresh and delicious! I didn't know you could freeze peppers--next time they are a good price in the market I might buy several, slice and freeze!

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  16. I was already having cucumber salad today, I'm going to try changing it up a bit to get the wonderful coloring in your recipe. Thank you for the recipe and the giveaway. Fingers crossed that I'll be reading The Diva Haunts the House =)
    konecny7@gmail(dot)com

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  17. The recipe sounds yummy. I haven't read The Diva Serves High Tea. Here's hoping. mommatoodle@msn.com

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  18. Love the recipie. Can't wait to try it. Happy Labor Day!!
    xzjh04@ gmail.com

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  19. Recipe sounds yummy and easy to make!! The Diva Haunts the House.
    cebogert@gmail.com

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  20. Diva Haunts the House would love to read! Parkeremma2003 at yahoo dot com

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  21. I loved the Diva Haunts a House, can't wait to read the Diva Serves High Tea, lilflynracer at msn.com. thanks for offering the giveaway!

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  22. I like your - I'm always looking for something to replace Macaroni or Potato Salad. Thanks for the giveaway, I'd be delighted to win Diva Haunts the House! Best of luck to everyone! Lenore (dot) English AT Gmail (dot) Com.

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  23. Love the salad. Thanks for the giveaway. I'd love to win The Diva Serves High Tea. chettysmom@yahoo.com

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  24. The salad is so appealing and healthy. I would enjoy The Diva Serves High tea. Thanks. saubleb(at)gmail(dot)com

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  25. I always freeze peppers to cook with during the winter. The Diva Haunts the House would be my choice.
    sgiden at verizon(.)net

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  26. Since we are going into just the first of the leaves changing I would love the Diva Haunts the House and thank you for the dressing recipe. I need to start making my own and get away from processed...Marilyn ewatvess@yahoo.com

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  27. First, the salad looks delicious! I've got most of the ingredients, so maybe this is my part of the Labor Day dinner. Secondly, I am a big Krista Davis fan, and would love to continue my 'Diva' journey.
    kat8762@aol.com

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  28. Sounds just so good. My husband is clearing out our garden and then taking all the remaining over to the compost so i will have to see if we have the ingrediants then he can make for dinner. Love the books given away and i would love to read and review at a few sites! ptclayton2@aol.com

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  29. The salad is so tempting. I would read The Diva Serves high tea. elliotbencan(at)hotmail(dot)com

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  30. I would love to win The Diva Haunts The House. Thanks for the great recipe & chance to win. doward1952@yahoo.com

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  31. Great recipe. Thanks for sharing. I would love to read The Diva Haunts the House.
    Jhdwaybe(at)peoplepc(dot)com

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  32. I would love diva Haunts a house!!!
    tsullivan539@comcast

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  33. I would love either but in the spirit of the season I choose Divs Haunts a House. Thanks for the recipe too! Yummmm!
    Awilcox1182@gmail.com

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  34. Since I've gotten old lettuce seems to repeat on me so I found your salad very tasty looking. I would love to win a copy of The Diva Haunts the House if my name is selected. robeader53@yahoo.com

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  35. I am loving reading the Domestic Diva Series as well as the Paws and Claws Series! Thank you Krista for great mystery reads! I would LOVE to read the Diva Serves High Tea and see what mischief comes Sophie's way! My daughter and I love to go to teas! Looking forward to reading this!!

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  36. this recipe should be quite delicious and can't wait to try it. Carter.karen@gmail.com

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  37. The house book please

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  38. My bean soup needs to sit for a day after I make it to taste good, too. I'll have to try this recipe. I'd love to read The Diva Haunts the House.
    suefarrell.farrell@gmail.com

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  39. I love the recipe, but my husband hates cucumbers.
    cjreynolds52(at)comcast(dot)net

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  40. Looks like a wonderful recipe. I have to ask thought what type of dressing did you use. We always use microwave bacon, I wonder if it would work as well. I dont need to enter the contest since I have read both of these amazing books. I also have to add that I dont think February can come fast enough. I need to visit Wagtail!!

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  41. I would love to win The Diva Haunts the House!! It looks like the perfect book for the Halloween season!! Can't wait to try the salad recipe too!
    mitzy252002@yahoo.com

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  42. The Diva Serves High Tea is my pick.
    gloriawalshver@yahoo.com

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  43. The Diva Haunts the house is my pick. kckendler(@)gmail(dot)com

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  44. I would like The Diva Haunts The House, be a great read for the season.....
    moonsdust2003@yahoo.com

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  45. This recipe sounds delish! I would like to read The Diva Serves High Tea. Thank you for all the good recipes.
    tykeeus@sbcglobal.net

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  46. I really like this recipe and I will definitely give it a try. I like the fact it's a salad without lettuce. I would like to read "The Diva Haunts the House".
    diannekc8(at)gmail(dot)com

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  47. I wish I could get my kids to eat that, it looks tasty. I would love to win a copy of The Diva Haunts The House. utaker555@gmail.com

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  48. Try lime pickles. They are sweet and crisp like a sweet gherkin only more crisp. I just made 12 pints. You do need three days. But it's only a little work each day.

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  49. Love salads that are make ahead. Honey Dressing looks to be great match for the crunchy salad ingredients! Can't wait to try! key2117(at)aol.com

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  50. That salad looks wonderful! My library has been trying to get The Diva Serves High Tea for me for a few months from another library. Would love to win a copy. Thanks. choirlady27@hotmail.com

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  51. I love the Diva series. I would love to win The Diva Serves High Tea. Thank you for this chance! areewekidding@yahoo.com

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  52. So many new cozy mystery series that I was unaware of! I'd love to get familiar with The Diva Serves High Tea. (beckri1 at yahoo dot com)

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