What are your easiest, tastiest meals - quick to prepare when you can't think of anything!!

Here's one for easy Xmas pressies for the family!   (When there is a glut of cucumbers, they can be really really cheap too!)


I used to just do just the Lebanese Cucumber/Onion one - & it is scrummy - but this one adds Red Peppers that makes it even more 'pretty' (almost Xmasy in colours!)  It needs the sugar to balance the acidic flavours ...... so don't scrimp on it!

(My recipe used to have salt sprinkled over the veges whilst the vinegar mix was cooking & cooling - then squeeze excess liquid out before bottling.  This would help 'soften' the veg - and the mix would last longer than 2 months.)  :) 

It is really YUMMY with salads & cold cut meats

Fresh Cucumber Salad...stays in the fridge up to 2 months!

7-cups un-peeled Lebanese cucumbers sliced thinly - a Mandolin is very handy here - just watch your fingers!
1-cup onions sliced thinly
1-cup bell peppers sliced thinly

1-tbsp salt
1-cup white vinegar
2-cups sugar
1-tsp celery seed
1-tsp mustard seed

Mix cucumbers, onions, peppers and salt; set a side
Put vinegar, sugar, celery seed and mustard seed in a pot and bring to a boil - stirring to make sure sugar dissolves
Remove from heat and let cool for one hour - stuff the cucumber/onions/pepper mix in sterilised jars
      (those with plastic lids are better than metal lids .... make sure they have the 'card insert' in the lid for a better seal.)
Pour cooled mixture over cucumber/onion/pepper mix
If you have extra 'mix' - cut up some more cucumbers/onion & pepper!
Put in jars and store in refrigerator
Will keep at least 2 months, sometimes longer!  

The flavours actually develop more over time!   YUM!