Fresh Veggies in Vinegar Marinade

Ingredients:
1 tomato, sliced into strips or wedges
1 green pepper, sliced into strips
1 onion, sliced into thin strips
1 cucumber, sliced

Marinade:
1 cup apple cider vinegar
1 cup sugar
1 tsp. salt

Directions:
Combine the marinade ingredients in a small saucepan and on low, stirring constantly, until the sugar is dissolved. Set aside and let cool before adding to the vegetables. Chop or slice all the vegetables and combine them in a bowl with the cooled marinade. Stir until everything is coated and store in the refrigerator until serving.

Time to Make: about 10 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Recipe Origin: Mom

Fresh Cooked Green Beans

Ingredients:
Fresh Green Beans
Butter
Salt and Pepper, to taste

Directions:
To prepare the green beans for cooking, snap the ends off of each bean. Wash green beans thoroughly with cold water. Place beans in a pressure cooker on top of a steaming rack. Fill the pressure cooker with hot water just to the level off the rack. Sprinkle the beans with a little bit of salt.  Place the uncovered pressure cooker on the stove over high heat and heat until the water is boiling. Once the water is boiling place the lid on the pressure cooker tightening it to make sure it is secure and place the bobber on the top. Keep the heat on high. Once the steam causes the bobber to bob back and forth start a timer for 2 minutes. After 2 minutes, cool the pressure cooker under cold water until all the pressure is released and you can easily open the lid. (Tip: Open the lid on the back side of the cooker so that the steam doesn't burn your hands or your face.) Check that the beans are fully cooked and tender by poking them with a fork. If they aren't all the way tender, put the pressure cooker back on the stove until they do come out tender. (Sometimes I will let the timer go for a little longer than 2 minutes just to be sure the beans are done.) Butter and add salt and pepper to taste and serve warm!

Tip: For variety, thinly slice a small amount of onion and add to the beans before cooking.

Time to Make: about 15 minutes
Difficulty: Easy
Recipe Origin: unknown

Cucumbers in Sour Cream Dressing

Ingredients:
1 large cucumber, rinsed, peeled, and sliced
1 + 1/2 cups sour cream
1 + 1/2 Tbsp. cider vinegar
1 Tbsp. chopped chives (the top of the green onion)
3/4 tsp. salt
1/8 tsp. black pepper

Directions:
Prepare your cucumber by washing, peeling, and slicing it into thin/medium slices. Combine all the other ingredients in a medium bowl and stir till smooth. Add the cucumber and stir again till the cucumber slices are evenly coated. Chill in the refrigerator and serve.

Difficulty: Easy
Time to Make: about 20 minutes
Recipe Origin: Mom

Cheesy Cauliflower

Ingredients:
2 Tbsp. butter
2 Tbsp. flour
1/4 tsp. salt
1 cup milk
1/2 head of cauliflower (you can always add more later)
2 cups cheddar cheese

Directions:
In a medium pot, combine the butter, flour, salt, and milk. Cook and stir over medium heat until warm and smooth. Meanwhile, in a separate medium pot, cook the cauliflower until its tender. Once the sauce is done, add the grated cheese and stir until its melted. (You can also add more cheese if you need too) Drain the cooked cauliflower and add it to the cheese sauce. Stir till cauliflower is well coated and serve warm.

Tip: You can use broccoli instead of cauliflower if you wish.

Difficulty: Easy
Time to Make: about 20 minutes
Recipe Origin: Mom