With its high water content and refreshing crunch, the cucumber is one of summer's best cooling ingredients. Here are 10 ways to beat the heat with cucumber cocktails, salads, and snacks featuring flavors from around the world.
TOP ROW
• 1 Cucumber-Rosemary Gin and Tonic - A cocktail staple with a twist
• 2 Sesame Cucumber Salad - A refreshing Asian-inspired side dish
• 3 Cool Shrimp and Cucumber Crackers - Awaken the appetite!
• 4 Watermelon-Cucumber Refresher - Plus a few other riffs...
• 5 Cucumber Juice - Mix with sparking water, use in cocktails, or make granita
BOTTOM ROW
• 6 Cucumber Ice Pops With Lime & Chile - Fiery Mexican-style paletas
• 7 Quick, Cool Cucumber Sauce - Delicious on sandwiches, burgers, and vegetables
• 8 Cool and Spicy Fish and Cucumber Salad - A spicy Thai-inspired dish
• 9 Kachumber Cooler - A cocktail with Indian accents
• 10 Sour Cream Cucumber Salad with Mustard Seeds - A fusion of Eastern European and Indian flavors
What's your favorite way to eat – or drink – cucumbers?
Related: Top Five: Ways to Use Cucumbers (Other Than Salad!)
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I have practically been living on tzaziki
plain greek yogurt
2 or 3 cucumbers, grated, then squeezed of their liquid
garlic
lemon juice
salt
pepper
mix in a bowl, and enjoy with vegetables, pita, whatever!
We've fallen in love with this Cucumber, Mint & Basil soda, we keep a bottle of it in the fridge and add a splash to club soda to make the most refreshing non-alcoholic hot-weather drink
Cucumber, Mint & Basil Soda
Ingredients
1 1/2 cups Simple Syrup
1/2 large cucumber (about 8 oz.), thinly sliced crosswise, plus 12 slices for garnish
24 fresh mint leaves plus 12 sprigs for garnish
12 fresh basil leaves
6 cups soda water, divided
Preparation
Bring 1 1/2 cups simple syrup to a boil in a small saucepan. Remove pan from heat and add cucumber slices (reserving 12 for garnish), 24 mint leaves, and basil. Cover and let steep for 30 minutes. Strain cucumber-herb syrup into a jar, pressing on solids in strainer. Fill a 12-oz. glass with ice cubes. Add 2 Tbsp. syrup and top with soda water (about 1/2 cup). Stir to combine. Garnish with cucumber slice and sprig of mint. Repeat to make 11 more sodas.
Read More http://www.bonappetit.com/recipes/2011/05/cucumber-mint-and-basil-soda#ixzz1RAxwP6fm
I'm not a picky eater, but I HATE HATE HATE cucumbers.
Any alternatives for people like me?
I love cucumber in BOOZE!!
Here's Cucumber Infused Vodka
http://www.shutterbean.com/cucumber-infused-vodka/
And Boozy Cucumber Coolers with Gin!
http://www.shutterbean.com/boozey-cucumber-coolers/
I like spicy cucumber salad with toasted almonds. Those cucumber pops sound worth trying as well!
I never get tired of sliced cucumbers, red onion and dill dressed with olive oil and apple cider vinegar, with a little salt and freshly ground pepper.
Same goes for avocado and cucumber soup. I use a recipe from Once Upon a Tart (with dill, buttermilk, fresh orange juice, and cayenne), but there are many similar versions to be found just about anywhere one cares to look.
Then there's cukes in tabbouleh and I even put them in my potato salad (along with a load of other veggies).
sliced cucumbers with sweet tomatoes. some sea salt sprinkled on with balsamic vinegar and olive oil.
cold cucumber soup is a staple in my family - we make our own variation of the one found in The Joy of Cooking.
I have a great recipe for a cocktail using cucumber, dill and tequila.
Called the Dill Paloma- it is super refreshing:
http://www.mintlovesocialclub.com/2011/04/friday-cocktail-dill-paloma.html
I love just munching on cucumbers. They and watermelon are the most refreshing, low-cal summer snacks!