Sautéed Cucumbers ♥

Today's easy cucumber recipe: For all of us, including me, who stop at 'salad' when thinking what to make with a surplus of cucumbers, here's a new take, a quick sauté. Not just vegan, "Vegan Done Real".

We're eating like rabbits this year. Wait, that's not quite right, let me say it differently.

The truth is, we are not eating like rabbits because the neighborhood bunnies are. They munch-and-crunch on the garden's baby zucchini and nascent tomatillos while the resident humans chew on cucumbers the size of bats, all the rabbits deign to leave behind. The resident Mr. McGregor has declared war, preparing for battle with the big guns: bottles of hot sauce and jars of cayenne pepper.

Back to the cucumbers. I've cooked cucumbers twice this week and both times was pleased how the gentle cucumber flavor emerges while much of the crunch, albeit softer, remains.

The first time, I sautéed the cucumbers with onion and crispy bits of leftover homemade corn tortillas, then stirred in some fresh tarragon. Would you think to put an egg over top and call it breakfast? I did and applause ensued. The second time, I cooked the cucumbers with bits of commercial corn tortillas which might have gotten crispy if I'd allowed more time or more oil, then stirred in strips of fresh basil. This made for a succulent side dish, tasting way more rich and fresh than imagined.

Cucumbers: they're not just for salad anymore. Even the rabbits are thinking about trying them cooked.

SAUTÉED CUCUMBERS

Hands-on time: 10 minutes active plus occasional attention throughout
Time to table: 20 minutes
Serves 4

1 tablespoon olive oil
1 large onion, cut in large pieces
Corn tortillas, optional (primarily for texture contrast)
1 pound cucumbers, peeled if the skins are tough, seeds scooped out if large, cut into large chunks
Salt & pepper to taste
Fresh herbs - tarragon or basil, for example

In a large skillet, heat the olive oil on MEDIUM HIGH until shimmery. Add the onion and tortillas (if using) as they're prepped, stirring to coat with fat. Add the cucumbers as they're prepped, stirring to coat with fat. Let cook, stirring occasionally, until the onion is cooked and the cucumbers are warmed through and mostly cooked but still retain a bit of crunch. Season to taste, stir in the fresh herbs, serve and savor.

NUTRITION ESTIMATE
Per Serving Without/With Tortillas: 62/74 Calories; 3g Tot Fat; 1g Sat Fat; 0mg Cholesterol; 3mg Sodium; 7/10g Carb; 2g Fiber; 3g Sugar; 1g Protein. WEIGHT WATCHERS Old Points 1/1, PointsPlus 1/2

This recipe is so quick and easy that I'm adding it to a growing collection of easy summer recipes published all summer long in 2009 at Kitchen Parade, my food column, and now again in 2010. With a free Kitchen Parade e-mail subscription, you'll never miss a one!

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MORE FAVORITE CUCUMBER RECIPES
~ Old Liz's Cucumber Salad ~
~ Julia Child's Cucumber Salad ~
~ Tomato Platter with Olives & Feta ~
~ more cucumber recipes ~
from A Veggie Venture

~ Nana's Cucumbers with Sour Cream ~
~ Cucumber Dip with Feta ~
~ Smoked Salmon Salad with
Quick-Pickled Cucumbers & Roasted Peppers ~
~ Fruity Gazpacho ~
~ Bloody Mary Salad ~
~ more cucumber recipes ~
from Kitchen Parade, my food column

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