Hello bunnies! I hope everyone is enjoying their summer as much as we are here in the Fat Glam Kitchen!
This past Friday, I took a much-needed vacation day to get outside, destress and enjoy what nature has to offer. It is strawberry season here in New Brunswick, and my friend Crystal and I were up bright and early to take full advantage! We traveled down to the Scoudouc River Farm just about 20 minutes outside of town to hand pick our own fresh and sweet berries.
My big floppy hat and I were ready to pick some delicious berries!
It was so wonderful to be out in the sunshine with a faint sweetness in the air, connecting with the earth and knowing the produce you would be bringing home was fresh and healthy. The folks at Scoudouc River Farm were very friendly and took great pride in all of their produce, not just the U-Pick. I also went home with some freshly picked tomatoes, red onion and peppers.
What to do with all these fantastic berries?
I will be posting a series of entries this week with various recipes using these strawberries and other produce from the farm. For today, however, I will share with you one of the best salads I’ve ever had the pleasure to consume….
Fresh Strawberry, Mango, Tomato and Cucumber Salad, with Fresh Cilantro and jalapeno … Oh yes. That’s right. Sweet and spicy all in one!
This was so quick and easy to prepare, and uses 90% local ingredients. The strawberries, tomato and red onion are from the Scoudouc River Farm, the cucumber and jalapeno are from our farmers market, and the cilantro was grown in my very own urban herb garden.
This is such a great salad for summer!
Sweet and Spicy Summer Salad with Fresh Strawberries and Mango with Cilantro Vinaigrette
What you need:
-about 1/2 cups fresh strawberries, washed and cut in halves.
-1 large ripe mango, cubed
-1/3rd red onion, chopped
-1/2 cucumber, cuber
-1 fresh jalapeno chopped finely
-1 large tomato, chopped
-1 small bunch cilantro
-3 tbsp olive oil
What to do:
-Wash and chop all of your fruit and veggies and toss them together in a large bowl.
(Tips for cutting up your mango can be found here)
-In food processor or using a hand blender, combine olive oil and cilantro. Blend well until smooth.
-Pour vinaigrette over salad, toss, and serve!
So simple , so delicious! I served it with tortilla chips, and it was perfect. This salad keeps very well, and is just as delicious the next day.
That’s all for now, my darlings, but stay tuned this week, I will be posting three more tasty recipes using fresh local ingredients! Pie lovers, you wont want to miss my next entry!
If you are in the Moncton/Riverview/Shediac area , go over and check out what Scoudouc River Farm has to offer (Directions can be found here ) tell them Lenora sent ya!
Yours always in food, glamour and sassy fatness,
xoxoxo
Lenora
