Cucumber salad.

So I'm planning this wedding. And it's kind of fun, in the I'm-planning-my-wedding-and-I-can-do-whatever-I-want-because-it's-my-WEDDING sort of way. But in other ways, not so much. Like the I'm-planning-my-wedding-but-ohmygod-the-wedding-industry-SUCKS way. Or the I'm-planning-my-wedding-and-you're-charging-me-a-cake-cutting-fee?? way. And especially the I'm-planning-my-wedding-and-I-CAN'T-do-whatever-I-want-because-it's-going-to-cost-an-entire-year's-salary way.

Luckily, I'm not that picky. I can forgo the chocolate fountain and the five-tier cake, and I suppose I could even do without the half-dozen white doves released from their cages as we say "I do." But that doesn't mean I can't still dream about the little things -- my dress, for example, or the first dance, or if it would be weird to use food as centerpieces instead of flowers.

These are the thoughts that consume my spare moments, when in the past I would be thinking of food. Now, instead of browsing through pictures of poached eggs and discovering new recipes on the Web, I'm comparing wedding photographer rates and silently freaking out at the computer screen (This chick's rates start at $3,000? Really? Who are these people?!). Which is why I haven't been too inspired to cook anything lately, which is why I haven't posted anything that I actually made myself since, well...since I got engaged. Holy crap. Have I really gotten by the past two months posting other people's food? Why yes, yes I have.

So I'm offering you this salad. I know, it may not seem like much, but when the money-grubbing wedding industry is getting you down, and when it's 100 degrees outside and all you have in your fridge is a cucumber, this salad is something of a savior. It's sweet and tangy and crunchy and cold and fresh and simple and cheap. Maybe we'll even serve it at the wedding.

cucumber salad

Cucumber Salad
I got this recipe from my mom, over the phone, while at the grocery store buying sugar. So keep in mind that these measurements are her rough estimates, and they can be modified to your taste. If you want it less sweet, cut back on the sugar and rice vinegar. If you want a bit more kick, add more vinegar. Make sure you don't slice the cucumber too thinly -- they might get soggy.


1 large cucumber, peeled and sliced
1 small white onion, sliced
1 cup vinegar (1/2 white + 1/2 rice)
2 tsp sugar
salt and pepper

In a large bowl, combine all of the ingredients and stir well to coat the cucumber slices. Store in the fridge overnight, or at least for a few hours before serving.

Comments

  1. YOU BOUGHT SUGAR!!!

    So. Excited. I fully expect a cookie post sometime soon, just so you know.

    Now, as for this post - it was lovely to read, as always, and inspiring in the way that we all need, to know it's OK to eat a simple salad when we're busy and distracted or, actually, anytime at all.

    Loving the wedding-planning commentary, too.

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  2. Oooh. This brings back memories of my wedding planning! Hang in there!

    Definitely love this style of salad...love it with radish too :)

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  3. i know exactly what you're going through. if you ever want to compare notes, send me an email or call me! i've only done my church, reception hall, photographer & i just got my dress so i still have a ton to do!

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  4. A perfect summer salad for the busy bride-to-be! I'm at the point in our wedding planning that I want to elope ;) The vendor pricing in this area is out of control...

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  5. Hi! Not sure if you were kidding about food as centerpiece, but since you asked: My husband and I were married during pomegranate season. We bought a bunch of big, beautiful baskets (on super-sale), ordered a few crates of pomegranates, and used pomegranate-filled baskets as centerpieces. Guests took the pomegranates home after the wedding. It was beautiful, and hundreds of dollars less expensive than flowers (which just get thrown out anyway). So yes, I think edible centerpieces are totally doable.

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  6. shanna - damn! i was hoping you'd forgotten about my promise...

    chichajo - i thought about adding radish, but was afraid the radish would be too strong. i'll definitely try adding next time though.

    amy - thanks! you're way ahead of me on the wedding planning! so far, we have our reception and ceremony sites and are looking into tent rentals. i might be emailing you with questions sometime! :)

    jen - isn't the wedding industry infuriating? makes me a little bit sick, which is why we've decided to do it ourselves in the backyard!

    jess - pomegranates! sounds lovely. i'm totally serious about the food as centerpieces. we're having ours in michigan in the fall, which means we'll have lots of apples!

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  7. my filipina mama makes a similar dish but she slices the cucumbers pretty thin and we eat them quick, quick before they can get soggy. we call them quick pickles.

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