International Day 2

Do you have certain smells that remind you of a certain time, place, memory, person, etc?  I do!  Fruit loops (the smell) reminds me of my Granny.  Juicy fruit makes me think of my Aunt Merle.  Honey Nut Cheerios reminds me of MaG and Papa (as does peanut butter crackers and coke!).  Other smells bring not so good memories...formaldehyde, gross lab...but we won't go there, this IS a food blog!  When I smell a salad that has been made with vinegar, it makes me think of Bishkek!  We had a somewhat limited diet when we were there.  Ham, cheese toast, potatoes, more ham, and LOTS of tomatoes and cucumbers. 

This salad was a staple of the diet there...and it is SO good and simple.  When we made it last weekend my mom and I were both "mmm"ing the whole time!  Sometimes, simple is the best!  I changed the ratio of things a big, but I think it turned out just fine.  All the recipe I had put more oil in the vinegar mixture, but I think that 2 Tablespoons is plenty; I could still see remnants of oil on the container when I was done.  If you want something light, easy, and satisfying to the taste buds, please try this!

Today in Eat. Live. Be. we are talking about what cookbooks and resources are helping keep us on track.  I must be honest and say that I really haven't pulled out any cookbooks other than my new cookie cookbook (that I have decided to cook through!  already done with three recipes!).  However, I know that there are several recipes I want to try in my Rachel Ray 2, 4, 6, 8 cookbook.  I also have a collection of old magazine recipes plus some new Eating Well magazines that have great recipes in them.  As much as I say that I'll pull them out, I don't know if I will.  Really, I just need to schedule a dinner party...being with other people makes me cook and really, truly makes me happy!  What do YOU use for good recipes? 

Come back later this week and I'll give the recipe for these yummy pelmeini!

Tomato Cucumber Salad
1/2 cucumber, sliced and halved
3 roma tomatoes, chunked
1/2 onion, cut into THIN slices and separated
1/4 cup vinegar
2 tablespoons oil (I used olive oil)
salt and pepper to taste
1/4 teaspoon dried dill weed (hee hee...makes me laugh...weed!)

Put all the vegetables in a bowl.  Mix the remaining ingredients together in a bowl.  Pour over the veggies and allow to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 30 minutes, the longer the better!  Enjoy!

Sarah Caron - http://www.sarahscucinabella.com/
•Cate O’Malley - http://www.sweetnicks.com/
•Maris Callahan - http://www.ingoodtasteblog.net/
•Chris Arpante - http://www.melecotte.com/
•Faith - www.clickblogappetit.com/
•Kristen - http://www.dineanddish.net/
•Emily - http://andersonfamilycrew.blogspot.com/
•Jenna - FireMom - http://stopdropandblog.com/
•Casey - http://www.thestarnesfam.com/
•Patsy - http://familyfriendsandfood.blogspot.com/
•Tri-Fit Mom - http://trifitmom.blogspot.com/
•Allison - http://sweetflours.blogspot.com/
•Jen - http://njepicurean.blogspot.com/
•Leslie - http://www.thehungryhousewife.com/
•Rivki Locker - http://www.healthyeatingforordinarypeople.com/
•Claudia - Journey of an Italian Cook
•Jennifer Schulz - http://lick-a-plate.blogspot.com/
•Sarah Rogers - http://sarahssweetcreations.blogspot.com/
Denise and Lenny - http://www.chezus.com/