Shaved Cucumber Salad + Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor Giveaway

I used to sit outside on a lawn chair under the lilac tree. The tips of my toes would touch the cool green grass, and the fragrance from the white lilacs would greet my nose. And I would read. I would immerse myself in worlds hundreds of years old and get lost in horse drawn carriages and petticoats and lamp light.

Several feet away, my mother would kneel, turning up soil, tending her garden. She would pick spent leaves, trim the branches, pull out weeds. She would work and we both would lose track of time. Afternoons would fly by like this, until she realized that my dad would be coming home shortly and we had nothing ready for dinner.

Summer dinners would be simple out of necessity, we would be short on time. She would gather the vegetables she had picked and make easy salads. Cucumbers dressed in nothing but rice vinegar, water and a pinch of sugar would be refreshing bites on those humid New York nights.

I thought of her as I shaved some cucumbers the other day. I decided to make my own version of her simple salad. Thinly sliced cucumbers and red onion looked so elegant dotted with tomatoes and asparagus. Each bite was cool and refreshing, and brought me back to my mothers garden. I could almost smell the lilacs. And I could definitely taste summer.

It’s time for my second Wedding Registry Kitchen Must-Have Giveaway! From purees to soups, thin slices to pastry doughs, I am constantly reaching for my Cuisinart 14-Cup Food Processor. I’ve already mentioned how awesome it is – and I’m so excited to be able to share one with one of you!

Wedding Registry Kitchen Must-Have Giveaway :: Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor Giveaway

This giveaway is now closed. Congratulations to Rebecca L. on winning an awesome Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor!

~~Ready to enter? Here’s how:~~

Please leave a comment below and feel free to share: What will you tackle with this food processor?
Bonus entry: Share this page on Facebook and leave another comment saying so.
Entries/Comments accepted until 10 pm Pacific, Sunday, 12 August, 2012.
One winner will be randomly selected and notified by email.
This contest is open to US residents only, my apologies to my international friends!

Disclosure: In celebration of their newly launched Wedding Registry, Wayfair is generously sponsoring this giveaway by giving one winner a Cuisinart Custom 14-Cup Food Processor. I am grateful to their support and for making this giveaway possible. The author was not compensated for this post/giveaway. All opinions are strictly my own.

Please check out my Top Ten Wedding Registry Must Haves for my personal picks when starting out in the kitchen! One more items from my list will be featured in a giveaway next week! Be sure to check back next week for the next giveaway!

Shaved Cucumber Salad

Yield: Serves 4

Prep Time: 5 minutes

Cook Time: 10 minutes

Total Time: 15 minutes

Don't be deceived by this recipe's simplicity. You will find it such a refreshing and perfect way to enjoy your summer cucumbers, and it will pair with so many dishes.

Ingredients:

1 English cucumber
1 small red onion
1 cup cherry tomatoes
4 stalks asparagus
1/4 cup rice vinegar
2 tablespoons water
1/2 teaspoon sugar

Directions:

Trim both ends of cucumber. Cut in half and slice in thin strips, using either a food processor or mandolin. You can also slice it crosswise, and a knife will work just fine. Do the same with red onion.

Cut the tomatoes in half, and cut the asparagus in 1 inch pieces on the diagonal.

Place all the vegetables in a bowl. In a separate bowl, mix the vinegar, water and sugar. Pour over the vegetables and toss. Allow to sit for at least 10 minutes to take in the flavor. Arrange on a platter to serve.

by Liren on August 6, 2012

82 Comments

« Previous Post

Cookie and Kate — August 6, 2012 @ 6:12 am (#
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Fabulous giveaway! I would make pesto in bulk in that shiny new food processor.
Rebecca L — August 6, 2012 @ 6:17 am (#
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I would use it to make vodka pasta sauce.
Rebecca L — August 6, 2012 @ 6:18 am (#
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Shared on facebook!
Lanesa — August 6, 2012 @ 7:43 am (#
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I would make bruschetta
Lanesa — August 6, 2012 @ 7:46 am (#
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Shared on Facebook
Brian — August 6, 2012 @ 8:17 am (#
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There are few things more refreshing than cucumber salad… and with this heat, I eat a few bowls every day.

Can’t say enough about my love for food processors. This looks like a fabulous one!
Maria McCloud — August 6, 2012 @ 8:25 am (#
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I would make various pestos with all the herbs growing like wild in my garden!
Ashley — August 6, 2012 @ 8:48 am (#
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I’d make baby food!
Ashley — August 6, 2012 @ 8:49 am (#
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I shared on Facebook!
miki — August 6, 2012 @ 8:55 am (#
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With that capacity, I would imagine I could make lots of pie crusts and pie fillings !
Laura (Tutti Dolci) — August 6, 2012 @ 9:05 am (#
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Gorgeous salad, Liren! As for the food processor, I’d make a pie :).
Bonnie — August 6, 2012 @ 9:35 am (#
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Pesto, pest, and more pesto. It’s that time of year again. My Cuisinart food processor is 24 years old. I would love to have a new one. Thanks for such a great giveaway.
Kim — August 6, 2012 @ 9:55 am (#
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pesto!!
Shirley Bomar — August 6, 2012 @ 10:40 am (#
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I would be able to get my cucumbers chopped up for relish if I had this awesome processor!!!
lea davenport — August 6, 2012 @ 11:04 am (#
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Salad looks lovely! I would make salsa with tomatoes from the garden.
Tracy — August 6, 2012 @ 11:13 am (#
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Hummus and pesto and salsa and dressings! Really, the possibilities are endless!
Mary — August 6, 2012 @ 11:19 am (#
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I would make pesto and this cucumber salad looks so refreshing! Love cucumbers – this has got to be on the list.
Diana — August 6, 2012 @ 11:27 am (#
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I will use
this beautiful machine to make pies, casseroles, can vegetables, the possibilities are endless!
Erin Gallagher — August 6, 2012 @ 12:12 pm (#
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I never got a food processor, and I’ve always wanted one. I’d make sauces, slaw, desserts…so many things! I love this post about the memories of your mother– really lovely.
Ellen — August 6, 2012 @ 3:32 pm (#
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I would make some delicious slaw
Kristen N. — August 6, 2012 @ 4:32 pm (#
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I would make some homemade pesto.
Joan Nova — August 6, 2012 @ 5:44 pm (#
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That a simply stunning presentation. Pinning!
Jennifer s — August 6, 2012 @ 7:04 pm (#
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Pesto and hummus! My food processor bowl has been broken for years, would love to replace it :)
Jennifer s — August 6, 2012 @ 7:05 pm (#
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Shared on Facebook!
tasha — August 6, 2012 @ 7:23 pm (#
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I would LOVE to make pesto! Thanks for the chance.
tasha — August 6, 2012 @ 7:24 pm (#
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shared on facebook-thanks!
Holly — August 6, 2012 @ 7:42 pm (#
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I would use it to make pie crust dough, which is so much faster with a food processor.
Corisa — August 6, 2012 @ 8:42 pm (#
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I’d love to do zucchini to make a pasta dish !
Tammy — August 6, 2012 @ 8:58 pm (#
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I would make pie crust.
leslie — August 6, 2012 @ 9:45 pm (#
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I would chop veggies for soup this fall.
Sarah L — August 6, 2012 @ 10:09 pm (#
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I would like to make my own almond butter.
Liz Tuggle/Morgan — August 7, 2012 @ 9:09 am (#
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I would say dough and filling for pies would love to make some as soon as the weather gets colder
Liz Tuggle/Morgan — August 7, 2012 @ 9:11 am (#
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Have shared on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/InkedMagnolia81/posts/301362253296314
Courtney — August 7, 2012 @ 3:45 pm (#
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Veggie burgers! (time consuming with a mini chopper!) And, tons of different nut butters!
Kim — August 7, 2012 @ 5:18 pm (#
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Oh the endless list of things I could tackle with a food processor! Lets see, I think I would start with pureeing the last of my summer tomatoes into a refreshing chilled soup. :)
Amy L — August 7, 2012 @ 7:03 pm (#
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Pesto and salsa. We have lots of basil and tomatoes from our garden right now.
Amy L — August 7, 2012 @ 7:11 pm (#
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I shared this on facebook here: https://www.facebook.com/#!/amy.l.leach/posts/456761637690171
Stacie Fontinell — August 7, 2012 @ 9:26 pm (#
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Wow, what a great giveaway… i would tackle the zuchinni in the garden to freeze it for the winter!
Tim — August 7, 2012 @ 11:20 pm (#
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I would make a fresh pesto or if I am daring enough I’d attempt to ground some dried corn into cornmeal.
Jen @ Savory Simple — August 8, 2012 @ 6:21 am (#
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Your photos are lovely and your writing is very poetic. I really enjoyed reading this post. I have a food processor so I’m hesitant to enter the giveaway, but it was my mother’s so maybe it’s time for an upgrade. But that tells you how good Cuisinart products are! They pass down through generations!

I love making pie and tart doughs with the food processor. Dips are a close second.
Sarah L. — August 8, 2012 @ 7:42 am (#
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I need a food processor so badly! Making pie crusts would be on the top of my to make list, followed by dips and soups.
Jennie S. — August 8, 2012 @ 9:51 am (#
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I would make salsa
Brooke — August 8, 2012 @ 12:53 pm (#
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I would use it to cut slivers of zucchini for pasta and veggie sides!
Sheri Jones — August 8, 2012 @ 12:58 pm (#
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I would go through my pile ot “to make” recipes and make them ALL!
Katrina (Simply Single) — August 8, 2012 @ 12:58 pm (#
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I would use it to make all kinds of things, pesto, hummus, purees, anything that I could think of.
Katrina (Simply Single) — August 8, 2012 @ 1:09 pm (#
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I tweeted and shared on facebook.
https://www.facebook.com/kat.martin.589
https://twitter.com/SimplySingle3/status/233291260377575424
ella — August 8, 2012 @ 4:47 pm (#
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I would use this food processor to make better vegetarian meals. I’ve been looking into eating healthier and this would definitely help with a number of recipes!
Schmidty — August 9, 2012 @ 12:11 am (#
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I would use it to make cole slaw ad salsa and lots of veggie dishes.
Schmidty — August 9, 2012 @ 12:13 am (#
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I shared on my FB wall https://www.facebook.com/rusthawk/posts/338434922910738
Koko @ Koko Likes — August 9, 2012 @ 1:10 am (#
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Pesto!
Morgan — August 9, 2012 @ 7:37 am (#
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I would make homemade hummus, protein smoothies, and homemade frozen yogurt! I’ve NEVER owned a food processor before and have so many recipes I’m dying to try.
Russell van Kraayenburg — August 9, 2012 @ 8:13 am (#
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This is such a gorgeous salad! I’m not sure what I wouldn’t tackle! I think I’d want to try nut butters first!
Julie Eicken — August 9, 2012 @ 9:32 am (#
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I have wanted/needed a food processor for a long time – the list is practically endless of all the things I could use it for! This salad is so beautiful – I would begin with it.
Sandy Mays — August 9, 2012 @ 12:23 pm (#
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What wouldn’t I make……chop veggies for potatoe salad
Cristi Martin — August 9, 2012 @ 6:30 pm (#
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I would love to whip up some yummy pesto with the basil in my garden :)
Terry Taylor — August 9, 2012 @ 6:31 pm (#
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I would love to try out some new salsa recipes!
Isaac Farley — August 9, 2012 @ 6:33 pm (#
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I’d jump on board with some hummus!
Jeff Pfohl — August 9, 2012 @ 7:07 pm (#
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Salsa, hummus, pesto, the list goes on and on and on…… DELICIOUS!
Jeff Pfohl — August 9, 2012 @ 7:56 pm (#
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Shared on Facebook
Lawyer Loves Lunch — August 9, 2012 @ 11:19 pm (#
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Rumor has it you can make bread dough in a food processor? Not sure I buy it but I’d love to test the theory ;)
Christine Mayfield — August 10, 2012 @ 7:35 am (#
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I would use this to tackle onions!!
Christine Mayfield — August 10, 2012 @ 7:36 am (#
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I shared on FB https://www.facebook.com/BeeBubbaBella/posts/397482470315660
Christine Mayfield — August 10, 2012 @ 7:54 am (#
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Shared on FB https://www.facebook.com/BeeBubbaBella/posts/397482470315660 I tried to post this earlier but I don’t think it went through. If this is a repeat comment please delete it thanks so much for the giveaway!
susitravl — August 10, 2012 @ 9:19 am (#
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I would make everything I don’t make now just because I don’t have a food processor. haha. Would probably start with salsa.
kesha — August 10, 2012 @ 2:05 pm (#
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I would tackle grating carrots for my homemade carrot cake! I do not like to hand grate carrots. It is messy and take a lot of time! This would be and AWESOME win!
kesha — August 10, 2012 @ 2:07 pm (#
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I shared this post on Facebook! http://www.facebook.com/kesha.gooding/posts/276085175837553
Meghan Finley — August 10, 2012 @ 11:39 pm (#
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I’d make salsa with my garden tomatoes!
Meghan Finley — August 10, 2012 @ 11:40 pm (#
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https://www.facebook.com/immortalb4/posts/472949616057230
Mary — August 11, 2012 @ 1:32 pm (#
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I’d make pie dough and mass quantities of pesto.
Anne — August 11, 2012 @ 1:35 pm (#
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I’d break it in for pizza dough. Then I’d shred the cheese for the pizza with it.
Ashley — August 11, 2012 @ 8:48 pm (#
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I was just looking at food processors yesterday! I would make pesto, hummus, pie crusts, pizza dough, chop salads, graham cracker crusts, and so many amazing things!
Malou | Skip to Malou — August 12, 2012 @ 4:34 pm (#
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The other day (I think I even posted a pic on my fb page) I enjoyed a bowl of cucumber salad that went with my grilled pork chops for dinner. I went out with my girlfirends that night and when I came back, I was so happy to see some leftover cucumber salad sitting in the fridge. Ahh that made my night! I sat down and nibbled and enjoyed the refreshing salad. But my only complaint is that my salad didn’t look as gorgeous as yours… mine were chunky-ier. I would love to shave them like yours… so I’m keeping my fingers crossed that I win this cuisinart custom 14 cup food processor giveaway so I could make more cucumber salad, that would look pretty close to yours haha.
Happy Sunday Liren!
Malou
Malou | Skip to Malou — August 12, 2012 @ 4:38 pm (#
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i’m taking all the chances to win this haha.. shared it on FB
:)
malou
Roz — August 12, 2012 @ 4:55 pm (#
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I’m trying to include more veggies in our diet. This processor will help me “hide” the veggies in my kids’ meal.
Maria Land — August 12, 2012 @ 6:06 pm (#
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I would so love to have this to make homemade pie crust!
Kristin — August 12, 2012 @ 6:37 pm (#
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What wouldn’t or couldn’t I make with this beauty!?!? I’d be a food choppin’ fool if this was sitting on my counter! Fresh salsas here I come…
Kate Slaughter — August 12, 2012 @ 6:48 pm (#
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Oh my… My food processor bit the dust this week (while making gazpacho- mind you). If I won, I would finish my gazpacho:)
Emily — August 12, 2012 @ 8:11 pm (#
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I love to use my food processor to shred big blocks of cheese I buy at Costco, cheaper and tastier than buying pre-shredded cheese.
Brittainy Klappenbach — August 12, 2012 @ 8:12 pm (#
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I would totally make my cojito dip with it! Cutting up tomatillos can get really sticky when I do it by hand. Mixing the ingredients would be a breeze if I used a food processor. Dip for everyone! Next up, tomato basil soup with some fresh bruschetta!
Brittainy Klappenbach — August 12, 2012 @ 8:13 pm (#
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Shared on Facebook as well! Everything is crossed :-)
Nelly Rodriguez — August 12, 2012 @ 8:34 pm (#
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I’d love to make raw tomato sauce in it! Or even better, gazpacho!
James — August 12, 2012 @ 9:58 pm (#
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I’d work on perfecting some marinades!