#3903 - Creamy Cucumber Salad

(by Shirley McNevich)

2 large cucumbers (washed, peeled and thinly sliced)
1 sweet onion (peeled, thinly sliced and separated)
1 TBSP sea salt
1/2 to 1 cup mayo
2 TBSP cider vinegar
1 TBSP white sugar
1 tsp. dried dill weed
1 tsp. garlic powder
1 tsp. fresh ground black pepper (less if you wish)

In a bowl add the sliced cucumbers, sliced onions and sea salt--toss to coat. Cover the bowl with Saran wrap and let it sit for 1 HOUR. After 1 hour, remove plastic wrap and drain off all liquid. Scoop the whole mixture into a collander. Fill a bowl 3/4 full with water (to provide some weight) and set the bowl carefully on top of the cucumber mixture in the collander (to help squeeze out more liquid). Let it sit for 30 minutes. In a bowl add mayo (start out with 1/2 cup--you can always add more later if needed), cider vinegar, white sugar, dried dill weed, garlic powder and pepper--stir to mix. Taste--if mixture is too sweet add more cider vinegar and stir again. If mixture is too sour add a little more white sugar and stir again. Once you like the taste, add the drained cucumbers/onions--toss to coat. Cover and refrigerate until cold. Stir well before serving. NOTE: if you skip the steps for draining the cucumbers you will have a sloppy mess.

#3836 - Dill Weed Fried Potatoes

(by Shirley McNevich)

4 large yukon gold potatoes
1 large onion (sliced thin and rings separated)
4 TBSP butter
2 TBSP olive oil
1/2 tsp. garlic powder
1/2 tsp. dried dill weed
1/4 tsp. salt
1/4 tsp. fresh ground black pepper

Peel and wash potatoes, then slice them about 1/8" thick. In a large cast iron skillet over medium heat add butter and olive oil--stir until melted. Add sliced potatoes and separated onions--toss to coat. Use a spatula and keep turning/frying the mixture until onions start to brown. Sprinkle with the dill weed, salt and pepper--toss to coat. Cook/stir until potatoes are nice and brown, and onions are caramelized. Serve hot.

#1399 - Cheddar Cheese Log

(by Shirley McNevich)

1 - 4oz. Philadelphia cream cheese (softened)
4oz. sharp cheddar cheese (grated)
1/4 cup grated onion
1 small garlic clove (minced)
1/3 cup + 2 TBSP finely chopped walnuts
2 TBSP finely chopped parsley
1 1/2 tsp. paprika
1 1/2 tsp. chili powder
1 1/2 tsp. curry powder
1 tsp. dried dill

In a bowl add softened cream cheese, grated sharp cheddar cheese, grated onion and minced garlic--stir with a spoon. Add 1/3 cup chopped walnuts--stir until mixed. Cover the bowl and refrigerate it for 1 hour. Place a sheet of wax paper on your counter. Remove bowl from refrigerator and scrape cheese mixture on to the wax paper. Use your hands and form the cheese mixture into a log about 1" thick. In a bowl add chopped parsley, 2 TBSP chopped walnuts, paprika, chili powder, curry powder and dried dill--stir until mixed. Use a spoon and make a line of the spice mixture the same length as the cheese log. Roll the cheese log on the spice mixture and make sure all parts of the cheese log get covered with spices. Wrap the log in a fresh piece of wax paper and refrigerate until cold. Serve with good quality crackers.