CORN TOMATO SALAD

With the availability of fresh corn on the cob and garden tomatoes, there are a number of possibilities for different kinds of salads. My friend Julie suggested a recipe that she had made for friends. All of her guests enjoyed this salad. It sounded delicious and I decided to make it. I served the salad with garden cucumbers and steak grilled on the barbecue. 

The recipe is simple; corn kernels, tomatoes, mint, feta cheese, lemon juice and oil. You can add salt and pepper to taste. The fresh mint adds the crispness to the salad and also not overcooking the corn so that the kernels are still crisp adds to the flavour. Depending on the kind of corn you use, the colour of the salad can range from more pale tones to a peach colour. Both the DH and I enjoyed this salad and I even had a second helping. 

INGREDIENTS:
2 fresh corn on the cob
10 cherry tomatoes, sliced into halves or 2 regular tomatoes, chopped
1/3 cup feta cheese, crumbled or small cubes
10 fresh mint leaves, chopped
1-2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp lemon juice
salt and pepper to taste

DIRECTIONS:

Steam or microwave the two husked corn cobs. Cook until they are still crisp. I cooked them in a glass container, with a bit of water, in the microwave for six minutes. Cool in cold water. 

Slice the corn off the cobs and add the corn to a medium size bowl. Add the rest of the ingredients. Mix well and add more oil or lemon juice base on taste. Place in the fridge for at least 30 minutes before serving. Serves 4.

CANNED SARDINES

Eating sardines is not a favourite food for a number of people that I know. I grew up eating sardines as my mother used to make them for lunches for our family. I still eat canned sardines using the same recipe as my mother. What I like about this recipe is the combination of lemon juice, mayonnaise and shredded apple.

Sardines are an excellent source of Vitamin D, omega 3, calcium, potassium, iron and protein. I always buy the sardines that are canned in spring water. Sardines are also not expensive in comparison to canned tuna or salmon. The recipe I follow is the same every time and in many ways this recipe is comfort food for me. I haven't varied the recipe over the years and like them mashed up with some diced onion and celery and grated apple. I will either eat the mashed sardines right out of the bowl or on crackers. If you like sardines, this recipe will work for you. I even got the DH to eat sardines with me.

I buy sardines canned in spring water

Sardines ready to eat from the bowl.

The other option is to have it on crackers or toast. 

INGREDIENTS:

one can of sardines, canned in spring water, drained
1 celery stalk, diced
1 green onion, diced or 1 tsp dried onion flakes
1 medium size apple, peeled, cored, shredded
1-2 tbsp lemon juice
2 tbsp mayonnaise 
pepper to taste

serve with crackers or toast or eat out of the bowl

DIRECTIONS:

In a small bowl, add the drained sardines and mash with a fork. Add the rest of the ingredients and combine well. Add more lemon juice if you want the flavour to be more tart. Serves 1 to 2.