Summer
by: Lizthechef
June7,2010
5
5 Ratings
- Serves 4
Jump to Recipe
Author Notes
This simple side dish gives a cool note to summer suppers and works well with salmon or lamb. I prefer the crisp crunch of an English cucumber to the waxy ones that require peeling. You may substitute sour cream for the yogurt. Any mild-flavored vinegar can be used in this warm weather recipe. Sweet onions tend to run large so a half will do. Dill and lemon came from my garden. - Lizthechef —Lizthechef
Test Kitchen Notes
The success of this recipe lies in the details: salting the cucumber and onion slices to keep them from getting soggy and soften the sting of the onion, augmenting the sweet tang of the yogurt with a dash of vinegar and a bit of sugar, and adding Meyer lemon zest and fresh dill to achieve subtle layers of perfume. The resulting dish is cooling and crisp -- as Lizthechef says, it would go particularly well with either fish or lamb. - A&M —The Editors
- Test Kitchen-Approved
- Your Best Cucumber Recipe Contest Winner
What You'll Need
Ingredients
- 1 organic English cucumber (about one lb-sized)
- 1/2 Vidalia onion, peeled
- 1 teaspoonKosher salt
- 1 tablespoonrice wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoonorganic cane sugar
- 1/2 cupbest quality Greek yogurt
- 2 tablespoonsfresh dill, chopped
- zest of one Meyer lemon
Directions
- Slice the cucumber and onion as thinly as possible. Place slices in a colander, sprinkle with the salt, stir and seat the colander over a bowl to catch the released liquid. Refrigerate for one hour.
- Discard the extra liquid and now rinse the salt from the cucumber and onion. Drain well and pat the slices dry using kitchen towels.
- Turn the cucumber and onion into a medium-sized bowl and add the sugar and vinegar, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Fold in the yogurt, dill and lemon zest. Chill for an hour, stir again (juices will have settled) and serve.
Tags:
- Salad
- Greek
- Cucumber
- Dill
- Vegetable
- Vinegar
- Summer
- Vegetarian
- Side
Contest Entries
- Your Best Cucumber Recipe
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80 Reviews
Brigb June 17, 2017
Great with salmon
Chris G. November 22, 2015
Lizthechef:
looking for a little clarification here? I'm a little confused. I saw on this first page the comments about "shiso" with no explinations? Did you and the other person have an off-line conversation about shiso and perhaps using it in place of the Dill? I know it is quite different than mint, a member of that family, but have never tried shiso? It is also available here in western Washington at the Lynnwood, WA. H-mart.
Chris
lora789 March 23, 2015
Cucumber! It's cool. Healthy smoothie with cucumber http://yumsmoothie.com/healthy-smoothie/have-you-ever-tried-an-awesome-smoothie-recipe
Galapagos July 23, 2013
Even better with creme fraiche.
SunnyLyons June 16, 2013
I just joined this site today and I cannot wait for my garden vegetables to ripen. I am looking forward to trying this recipe as it appears we're going to have a bumper crop of cucumbers. :)
ElleLearnsToCook July 31, 2012
Made and served with salmon tonight. This wonderful and yummy cucumber side is cool, tasty, and refreshing.
EmilyC April 16, 2012
Made this today to accompany porchetta sandwiches and loved it! Thanks for a great recipe!
pow January 27, 2012
Is really good with apples.
MsDs_Foodie June 19, 2011
I made this today for my family and they loved it. The only change I made was to substitute Splenda for the sugar. Thanks for the great recipe!
Rivercook October 8, 2010
I just found this site and have spent far too much time looking and printing wonderful recipes..this cucumber dish is really really good, just made it last night and will make it again tonight with a curry dinner as I think it will be a nice cool addition..love the greek yogurt!
thanks to all for sharing..!
Lizthechef October 8, 2010
Thanks so much for your comment and welcome to the site!
lapadia September 13, 2010
Hi Lizthechef, well it's September and as I wrote 3 months ago, as soon as our garden cucumbers were ready I was making your recipe, and did just that tonight! I tweaked using cilantro instead of dill (was what I had available), and agave for the sugar...what a Delicious winning recipe, but of course you already know that. Will be making it with dill very soon. Thanks!
Lizthechef August 15, 2011
Almost a year later, just found your comment from a time when my email was not picking up comments - we have had a good laugh about this, haven't we?
lapadia August 15, 2011
:) Too funny, Liz!!! BTW - I have made this recipe with dill, too. Delicious. AND...our cucumbers are starting to produce this year. Yay!!
sonomagal September 6, 2010
I make a similar cucumber recipe but I never salt the cukes first. I prefer them crisp. Sweet and sour with a little sour cream sugar and vinegar and dill snips.
euramirez September 5, 2010
I've never worked with yogurt before and you suggest we drain it, how should I do this?? Thanks!!
Lizthechef September 5, 2010
Put your yogurt in a small-sized, fine-holed sieve and place sieve over small bowl. Place in fridge while you drain the cukes and onions. Good luck!
mdm August 24, 2010
I LOVE this, and have been adding radishes as well. Then yesterday I added blanched green beans, too -- yum! It was a big hit at our party -- thanks!
Lizthechef August 24, 2010
I like your idea of adding blanched green beans! Happy you are enjoying this simple summer recipe-
thirschfeld August 24, 2010
I can't believe I wasn't invited! Those are great additions to an already great salad.
Sunchowder August 12, 2010
OK, I just made this on Sunday--absolutely delish Liz! Simple, gorgeous clean--I love it and will make it again and again.
Sunchowder August 3, 2010
Liz--I made this last night as a side for dinner, YUM!!!!
Lizthechef August 3, 2010
So glad you enjoyed it!
dymnyno July 13, 2010
I have made this so many times lately that I'm beginning to think that I invented it myself!!!
Lizthechef July 13, 2010
LOL - I made it over the weekend and had to look up the recipe! Did you see my note about draining the Greek yogurt? So much liquid released. Anyhow, glad you like it.
Lizthechef July 11, 2010
RECIPE UPDATE: am making this for supper tonight with some fresh halibut and discovered draining the yogurt releases even more liquid...in addition to draining the cuke-onion mixture.
theicp July 7, 2010
Liz, I made this last night and it was a big hit! Loved the flavor from the lemon zest - very nice touch!
Lizthechef July 23, 2010
Glad you enjoyed it - try draining the yogurt next time - gets even more liquid out, resulting in creamier dish.
Oui, C. June 25, 2010
To be honest, I've never been a big fan of cucumber (unless its a pickle), but this dish sounds REALLY good, I'll have to give it a try. Congrats on the win! - S
Lizthechef June 28, 2010
Thank you for your comment - but don't force yourself re cukes...Summer squash is right around the corner ;) Thanks, Liz
