fancied up

My mom used to make a tomato-cucumber concoction in the summers...

fresh tomatoes, cucumbers, and onions from the garden...

soaked in vinegar.

We just called it tomatoes and cucumbers...

my mom said it was a hillbilly thing.

I found out later in life, that it wasn't just a hillbilly thing, but a real thing,

and it was called, tomato-cucumber salad.

adding the "salad" makes all the difference.

So when I read this recipe, "balsamic vegetable salad,"

my first thought wasn't, 'oh this is just tomato-cucumber salad.'

Because "balsamic vegetables" sounds more exotic than "tomatoes and cucumbers" any day.

However! that's exactly what this is...

tomato-cucumber salad with a little zing and a fancy name.

My mom would have loved it...

the dish itself, and the fact she could use "balsamic" in more conversations.

The recipe doesn't call for onions, but I think they would be a good addition...

and some torn-up crusty bread.

a hillbilly panzanella.

now that's fancy.

BALSAMIC VINEGAR SALAD

(6 servings)

3  large tomatoes, cut into wedges

3 medium cucumbers, peeled, halved, & sliced (I used 2)

1/2c  olive oil

1/4c  balsamic vinegar (I added a generous splash too, for good measure!)

3T  water

1 envelope  Italian salad dressing mix

In a salad bowl, whisk together the oil, vinegar, water, and dressing mix.

Add tomatoes and cucumbers, and toss gently to coat.