Bite of History: Push the calendar back some 3,000 years and one finds cultivated cucumbers in Europe, thanks to the ancient Greeks or Romans who brought them back from Southern Asia. Even ancient city of Ur listed them among their foods!
Among the 15 health benefits, cucumber is a good source of B vitamins and prevents dehydration with 95% water content, plus fights cancer and controls blood pressure. The list goes on, but here are 5 dishes...
^Stem tips and young leaves are edible also.
Use organic seeded or seedless, English or regular cucumbers.
Cucumber Salsa
Makes 2 1/2 cubs (600 ml)
A good start!
A. In a bowl, combine:
1 peeled and chopped cucumber
1 large organic chopped tomato
1 small diced organic bell pepper (green, yellow, or red)
2 minced jalapeños
2 minced garlic cloves
2 Tbs. (30 ml) organic lime juice
1 Tbs (15 ml) olive oil
B. Serve on vegetables, fish, or with crackers and chips.
Cucumber with Smoked Salmon Dip
Makes 12 cups appetizers
1. Slice 1 English cucumber (milder, sweeter flavor) crosswise into 1-inch (2,5 cm) pieces.
2. Scoop out the center. (save and add to another dish or salad)
3. Sprinkle with salt, turn upside down on a plate, refrigerate 10 minutes.
4. Combine:
- 2 Tbs. (30 ml) chopped dill
- 3 Tbs. (45 ml) sour cream or dairy-free sour cream
- 1 Tbs. (15 ml) plain organic yogurt or dairy-free almond yogurt
- 2 tsp (10 ml) lemon juice
- 1/4 lb (110 g) smoked salmon
5. Blot the cucumber with a paper towel.
6. Spoon salmon mixture into each cucumber cup.
7. Garnish with chive sprigs.
7. Garnish with chive sprigs.
Spicy Cucumber Stir-Fry
Serves 2-4 as side dish
1. Slice 1 cucumber in half lengthwise, then into thin semi-cycles.
2. Warm 2 Tbs. (30 ml) olive oil in a wok or skillet over medium-high heat.
3. Add 2 minced garlic cloves, cook 30 seconds.
4. Add cucumber, cook about 6 minutes.
5. Stir in 1 Tbs. (15 ml) chile sauce. (less spicy, use soy sauce or liquid aminos)
6. Add 1/4 cup (60 g) chopped nuts.
6. Sever with chopped cilantro or parsley.
Chilled Cucumber Lemon Soup
Serves 4-6
chill 2 hours
chill 2 hours
1. Peel and cut in half 3 large cucumbers.
2. Sprinkle with salt and let set 20 minutes.
3. Blot the moisture with a paper towel.
4. Coarsely chop the cucumbers and purée in a blender along with:
- 2 sliced scallions
- 2 Tbs. chopped dill
- juice of 2 organic lemons (zest the lemons for stronger flavor)
- 2 cups (480 ml) organic each: plain yogurt and buttermilk (diary-free: almond milk and coconut buttermilk)
5. Chill at least 2 hours
Serve: garnish with more fresh dill
2. Sprinkle with salt and let set 20 minutes.
3. Blot the moisture with a paper towel.
4. Coarsely chop the cucumbers and purée in a blender along with:
- 2 sliced scallions
- 2 Tbs. chopped dill
- juice of 2 organic lemons (zest the lemons for stronger flavor)
- 2 cups (480 ml) organic each: plain yogurt and buttermilk (diary-free: almond milk and coconut buttermilk)
5. Chill at least 2 hours
Serve: garnish with more fresh dill
Cucumber Salad
Serves 2-4 as side dish
1. Thinly slice 3 small cucumbers.
2. Toss with 1 tsp. (5 ml) salt in a colander and let sit 15 minutes.
3. Mix cucumber with:
- 1/2 thinly sliced red onion
- 3 Tbs. (45 ml) each: white wine vinegar and olive oil
- 1 Tbs. (15 ml) each: chopped mint, rosemary, oregano, and thyme
- 1 Tbs. (15 ml) each: chopped mint, rosemary, oregano, and thyme
- Let the salad sit for 20 minutes before serving.
-modified from dashrecipes.com
Try: Quinoa and Cucumber Salad
http://veggiefernandezs.blogspot.com/2014/07/quinoa-cucumber-salad.html
Cucumber and Yogurt Cold Soup
http://veggiefernandezs.blogspot.com/2011/08/cucumber-and-yogurt-cold-soup.html
Try: Quinoa and Cucumber Salad
http://veggiefernandezs.blogspot.com/2014/07/quinoa-cucumber-salad.html
Cucumber and Yogurt Cold Soup
http://veggiefernandezs.blogspot.com/2011/08/cucumber-and-yogurt-cold-soup.html
