Cucumber Dressing for Cucumber Salads.
Using a classic Indian Raita recipe, we make a luscious yogurt-based dressing perfect for cucumber salads of any kind! You can play around with the dressing and the seasonings to create your own personal flavor favorite. Combine mayo with the yogurt for a creamier rich dressing, add fresh herbs like cilantro, basil, or parsley. Use garlic and onion powder to punch up the flavor, or rely on your favorite meat seasoning/rub and let the flavors infuse overnight. My recipe relies on seasonings and spices from The Spice & Tea Exchange for good reason: the blends and spices are of the highest quality and impart a richer more complex flavor than your regular store-bought spices. Visit www.SpiceandTea.com for their August Anniversary specials, or use Coupon Code “donna1” at checkout and receive a 10% discount off your first order.
Recipe: Yogurt Dressing for Cucumber Salads
Makes about 1 cup
Ingredients
For the dressing
1 cup plain yogurt (use any kind you like – Greek, whole fat, low fat, fat free)
About 8 grinds Florida Sunshine (you can add more if you like a really robust dressing)
About 3 grinds Pirate’s Bite (you can add more if you like a real kick to your dressing or substitute cayenne pepper)
½ teaspoon ground cumin
½ teaspoon sweet paprika
Zest of 1 lemon, plus a splash of the lemon juice (optional)
For the salad
Version #1
1 seedless cucumber, washed, partially peeled and sliced thin on a mandolin
1 sweet onion, peeled and sliced thin
Version #2
1 cucumber, peeled, seeded and coarsely chopped
1 cup coarsely chopped vegetables (use a mix of leftover veggies or pick your favorite. Try bell peppers, broccoli, squash, beans, etc.)
2 to 4 cups cooked Jasmine or Long Grain rice blend
Preparation
Combine the yogurt with the spice/seasonings and the lemon zest. Add to salads and let rest an hour or two for the flavors to combine. Serve.
Recipe: Cucumber Orange Tequila Cooler
This is the easiest, refreshing adult beverage I know! Infuse filtered water with cucumber and orange pieces and enjoy during a hot summer day. To take this refreshing cooler into happy hour, just add a splash of blanco or silver tequila. Delish!
The pitcher I use for infusing the water is available at www.SpiceandTea.com. It’s great for infusing just about any beverage, tea, cider, wine, sangria… you get the idea! Visit www.SpiceandTea.com for their August Anniversary specials, or use Coupon Code “donna1” at checkout and receive a 10% discount off your first order.
Makes about 8 coolers
Ingredients
8 cups filtered water
1 seedless cucumber peeled and seeded, cut into chunks
1 orange, cut into chunks
Blanco (or silver) tequila
Cucumber wedges and orange slices to garnish, optional
Preparation
Combine the water, cucumber and orange pieces in a pitcher and infuse (refrigerated) overnight. Strain into ice filled glasses, add a shot of tequila (to taste). Stir, then garnish with cucumber and orange.
For more recipe ideas, be sure to visit theresachefinmykitchen.com!