This is a very simple and easy to make side dish or salad.  It can be served with all types of main dishes. This holiday weekend, try serving the cucumbers with hamburgers, BBQ pork ribs or grilled chicken. My daughter makes this dish often for her family. It’s the only way she can get my grandson to eat his vegetables these days!

1 whole fresh English cucumber (about 12 oz. to 14 oz.)
1½ tablespoons white vinegar
1 tablespoon soy sauce (Kikkoman brand)
2 teaspoons sugar
1 teaspoon sesame oil
½ teaspoon salt
½ teaspoon red hot chili oil

Preparation:
Wash and trim the ends of the cucumber. Do not peel the skin. Cut the cucumber lengthwise in half. Slice crosswise into ¼ inch thin pieces. Place the sliced cucumbers into a medium size bowl. Add the white vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil, salt and chili oil. Mix all the ingredients together thoroughly. Cover and chill in the refrigerator for at least 10 minutes before serving.

Makes 4 servings as a side dish.
Preparation time: 5 minutes

If you enjoy shrimp and pears, you’ll enjoy the combination of ingredients in this recipe. It makes for a wonderful main dish for lunch or an appetizer for dinner. For added formality to your presentation, serve the salad individually on a bed of green lettuce.

1 pound medium size raw shrimp (31 to 40 counts per pound)
2 cups water and 1 teaspoon salt to boil the shrimp
1 tablespoon fresh lime juice
1 teaspoon red hot chili oil
½ teaspoon salt
1 scallion, including the green top
1 oz. fresh cilantro (about ¼ cup after chopped)
3 firm but ripe Bartlett Pears (about 7 oz, each)
3 tablespoons tomato ketchup
2 tablespoons light mayonnaise

Preparation and Cooking:
Peel and devein shrimp. Rinse with cold water. In a medium size pot bring 2 cups water and 1 teaspoon salt to a full boil. Add shrimp, cook and stir until shrimp turns pink and firm for about 2 minutes. Careful not over cook them. Remove shrimp from heat and immediately rinse with cold water for a few seconds. Pat dry with paper towels. Cut each shrimp in half.

In a large bowl, combine the shrimp with 1 tablespoon lime juice, 1 teaspoon red chili oil and ½ teaspoon salt. Mix together thoroughly and set aside. Wash and trim the green onion and cilantro. Finely chop both. Wash and core the pears. Do not peel the skins. Cut pears into 1 inch cubes.

Add the chopped green onions, cilantro, ketchup and mayonnaise to the shrimp first. Mix together thoroughly then add the pear cubes. Gently stir to coat the pears. Serve chilled.

Makes 4 to 6 servings
Preparation time: 20 minutes
Cooking time: 2 minutes