Last week my husband left me home alone while he went out to a meeting, where he was to be well fed. That, of course, left me home alone and hungry. Rather than bemoaning my aloneness, I made this delightful cucumber noodle salad; something fresh, light and healthy!   It was so fun to peel the cucumber that I couldn’t help smiling.  I’m not sure who said that “You’re never alone when you’re eating noodles…”, or something to that effect.  James Beard, perhaps?  Well, eating these cucumber noodles is almost like eating spaghetti!  They’re simple, you can twill them around your fork and eating them engages all your senses. Oh, and did I mention they’re good for you too?

You can make the rest of this salad out of anything you have in your refrigerator vegetable bins or, if you’re lucky, vegetables from your garden! (Each spring I hope to have a vegetable garden.  As of now, I have not been able to convince my hubby to dig up a portion of the backyard for a garden.  Maybe next year? )

I digress.  This version is my own and serves one. To increase the quantity, add one cucumber per person, and increase the other ingredients accordingly.

Home Alone Fresh Cucumber Noodle Salad

Diff: Easy     Prep: 5 min     Serves: One

 

 

Ingredients

 

• 1 cucumber, peeled

• 1-2 pieces thinly sliced red onion, separated into rings

• 6 cherry or grape tomatoes, cut in half

• ¼ cup flaked or grated parmesan cheese

• 1/8 cup Italian parsley, freshly chopped

• 10 thin strips of lemon peel

• Sprig of fresh basil for garnish

 

Possible add-ins:

 

• ¼ cup chopped cooked chicken

• ¼ cup sliced almonds

 

Instructions

 

• Using a vegetable or potato peeler,  peel off long strips down the length of the cucumber, turning the cucumber slightly with each peel.  Peel only until you get close to seeds.  Discard or use the rest of the cucumber in another dish.

• Place cucumber noodles flat on a paper towel and cover these with another paper towel.  Press down to remove as much water as possible.

• Put noodles in a bowl, add any or all of the above ingredients.  Make this salad your own!

• Dribble on your favorite dressing, toss and enjoy!

 

 

To make a light and healthy meal, serve with fresh Asiago cheese bread and a glass of ice tea! Delicious!

 

Until next week, wishing you all of God’s blessings, good health and happy eating!

 

Smiles and blessings,

 

Maria