Easy Cucumber, Tomato and Onion Salad

A crisp, sweet salad that only takes about 10 minutes to prepare and very low in calories if artificial sweetner is used.

Thankfully we have had unseasonably warm weather where I live which left me yearning for summer, so I made I made what is traditionally more of a summer salad to brighten up lunch.

This is based on a recipe at Recipezaar:
http://www.recipezaar.com/Easy-Cucumber-Tomato-and-Onion-Salad-82461

• 1 1/2 cups chopped cucumbers
• 1 15 oz can diced tomatoes
• 1/2 cup onion, chopped
• 6 packets artifical sweetener (or 3 TBSP Sugar)
• 1/2 cup vinegar 
• 1/2 cup water 
• 1 teaspoon dried dill weed  

How you chop the cucumber and onion is a matter of preference; I usually cut lengthwise half, then each half in half horizontally.
 



Chop up cucumber












Chop up onion

Open up can of diced tomatoes, drain off excess liquid (I used Fiesta Mexican, which made it have a more hot and spicy flavor, but if you have never made anything like this before, you would probably want to just try plain diced tomatoes.

Combine cucumber, onion and tomatoes in large bowl

 In a separate bowl, add 6 packets of artificial sweetener (or you can use 3 TBSP of sugar)

 Add 1/2 cup water

Add 1/2 cup of vinegar (I used white wine vinegar)

 Add 1 tsp. of Dill

Mix water, vinegar and Dill together to make the dressing

 Pour the dressing over the cucumber mixture and toss until well coated, then refrigerate at least 2 hours (best if left to sit overnight).

Serve with at slotted spoon to drain excess liquid.

Non-Alcoholic Sangria

Great for a family cookout or gathering as it is non-alcoholic and even kids can enjoy it. This is based on a recipe by Sarah Jayne at Recipezaar: http://www.recipezaar.com/non-alcoholic-sangria-370788?scaleto=4

Ingredients:

• 1/4 cup sugar
• 3 cups grape juice
• 3 cups club soda
• 3/4 cup orange juice
• Optional: lemon, orange, apple or peach slices
• Large pitcher of punch bowl
• Large wooden spoon

If you are going to serve fairly soon, pour grape juice into pitcher, then add the club soda. If you are going to serve soon, don't pour to club soda into the mixture until you are ready to serve.

Add the sugar.

Add the orange juice Stir until well blended. If you are going to add the fruit slices, put them in now and store in the fridge to chill or until ready to serve.