Summer

Creamy Cucumber "Side"

June  7, 2010
5
5 Ratings
  • Serves 4
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

What You'll Need
Ingredients
  • 1 organic English cucumber (about one lb-sized)
  • 1/2 Vidalia onion, peeled
  • 1 teaspoon Kosher salt
  • 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
  • 1 teaspoon organic cane sugar
  • 1/2 cup best quality Greek yogurt
  • 2 tablespoons fresh dill, chopped
  • zest of one Meyer lemon
Directions
  1. 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.
  2. Discard the extra liquid and now rinse the salt from the cucumber and onion. Drain well and pat the slices dry using kitchen towels.
  3. 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.
Contest Entries

See what other Food52ers are saying.

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  • EmilyC
    EmilyC
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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
 
Lizthechef June 24, 2010
No problem finding shiso in San Diego - we are fortunate to have super-sized Asian markets, at least half a dozen. I have a smaller Japanese supermarket that I know will have them.Brava, again - we are both winners!
 
lapadia June 23, 2010
Congrats..your recipe is on my list of what to do with all the cucumbers, once they are read to harvest!!
 
Teri June 23, 2010
Congrats Liz the Chef!!
 
Lizthechef June 23, 2010
As soon as I can face another cucumber, I'm trying your terrific recipe! Thanks for being so gracious -
 
Teri June 23, 2010
I hope you all find shiso soon!
 
MrsWheelbarrow June 23, 2010
Fantastic to see this recipe selected. Perfect example of a classic reimagined. Big congratulations Liz!!!
 
monkeymom June 23, 2010
Yay Liz! Congrats on your win!
 
fiveandspice June 23, 2010
Yay! Congrats. Such a yummy side.
 
MyCommunalTable June 23, 2010
Wow! Way to go. Well deserved. It is a great recipe!
 
TheWimpyVegetarian June 23, 2010
Yah!! Congrats Liz on winning with a great recipe!
 
EmilyNunn June 23, 2010
Way to go, LtC. My cookout guests gobbled this up on Friday. Thanks!
 
thirschfeld June 23, 2010
This recipe takes cucumber and dill, a favorite combo of mine, to a whole new level. I can't wait to try this with the cucs from my garden. Congrats and what a great recipe.
 
drbabs June 23, 2010
BIG congratulations!
 
mrslarkin June 23, 2010
Congrats, Liz! Great recipe!!
 
WinnieAb June 23, 2010
Yay! Big congrats Liz!!!
 
dymnyno June 20, 2010
I made this Friday night to "side" with BBQ lamb loins and it was wonderful! Finished the rest for lunch on Saturday.
 
Lizthechef June 20, 2010
Thanks - we're having it tonight with grilled lamb burgers and curried rice salad for my husband's Dad's Day party.
 
TheWimpyVegetarian June 19, 2010
YUM!!! I made this last night and it was wonderful. And this morning, even better! Love it!
 
Lizthechef June 19, 2010
Cukes for breakfast -! Glad you enjoyed it -
 
Kelsey B. June 18, 2010
This is a fabulous recipe Lizthechef! I can't wait to make it! The cukes are coming into our markets now and you know what that means... :)
 
Lizthechef June 18, 2010
Yes, that you and your Dad are on alert! Would so love to meet up - two retired docs, both in peds...I won't let up on you about those darn pickles, Kelsey ;)
 
fiveandspice June 18, 2010
What a perfect summer salad. I think I'll have it with some Greek lamb tonight!
 
EmilyNunn June 18, 2010
Congrats LtC! I'm finally making this, tonight, to go with Merrill's fish tacos on the grill (the second time I've made those. They are so good.) I love the Vidalia onion--so nice with grilled things.
 
Lizthechef June 18, 2010
Great idea to pair with M's fish tacos - those are on my "must cook" list.
 
Heena June 18, 2010
Congratulations!! My vote is in. I can imagine how refreshing this must be because my recipe was a little similar. Love the addition of the Meyer lemon.
 
MrsWheelbarrow June 18, 2010
Thrilled for you Liz. The recipe is wonderful, cool, refreshing and just right for lunch - which is what I'm planning today!
 
drbabs June 18, 2010
Congratulations, Liz! Great recipe--and how cool to have been chosen from among 125 recipes!
 
TasteFood June 17, 2010
I am a huge fan of tsatsiki and this recipe is a dream, since it gives me an excuse to gobble it up as a side dish instead of a condiment. Congratulations!
 
Teri June 17, 2010
Congratulations Lizthechef. I've made your side myself, so I know the competition is steep!
 
Lizthechef June 17, 2010
And I appreciate your comment about the salt - which I reduced, by the way.
 
Lizthechef June 17, 2010
Thanks, everyone - for all your support throughout the year!
 
dymnyno June 17, 2010
Once again...congrats on your recipe! Simple ingredients, simple method to create a stunning result!
 
MyCommunalTable June 17, 2010
Bravo!! Way to go with the Meyer Lemon touch. I know that I would love this.
 
lapadia June 17, 2010
As I said a whole 9 days ago, this is a recipe waiting for my garden cucumbers, just voted...congrats to you!
 
mrslarkin June 17, 2010
Yahoooo, Meyer Lemon Liz!!! Congrats!
 
Lizthechef June 17, 2010
Thanks, Merrill, for the great solo act! Going to treat myself to a mandoline today...
 
thirschfeld June 17, 2010
Way to go Liz!!!!!
 
TheWimpyVegetarian June 17, 2010
Woo-hoo! Go Liz! Congrats on being finalist!!
 
Teri June 11, 2010
I made this for lunch today. Used honey instead of sugar, halved the salt and didn't wash it off. So good! Thanks for sharing it with us.
 
Lizthechef June 11, 2010
Thanks and I think a have 30 minutes to modify my recipe, You have confirmed what I intuited - re too much salt - thanks so much. I'm reducing the salt to one teaspoon. Dilemma is that you need salt to draw out the water to avoid a soupy salad. Fingers crossed!
 
EmilyNunn June 10, 2010
Yes, this looks great, and I want some now, for lunch.
 
Lizthechef June 10, 2010
Thanks, I just tried a batch with some red onions - like the combo.
 
J-Dizzle June 9, 2010
Hi Lizthechef, you mentioned 'grilled lamb burgers (from your Father's Day Menu) in the reply...do you have the recipe?? If so, will add it to my menu at the cottage this weekend....We looooove lamb.....thanks very much.
 
Lizthechef June 9, 2010
I buy ground lamb at my butcher or Whole Foods, add cumin, parsley,s & p - grill about 4 min per side. Check out lamb recipes in this site - we had a "lamb" contest and I remember some tasty recipes along this line - good luck!
 
J-Dizzle June 9, 2010
Yummy, love cucumbers! love dill! With a large garden, will be able to make this recipe throughout the summer months....Thanks!
 
Lizthechef June 9, 2010
You're welcome - it's on my Father's Day menu, along with grilled lamb burgers...
 
lapadia June 8, 2010
Yum, have a large garden but the cucumbers are not abundant until August (maybe late July), unusually cooler this year, so who know...September?? Anyway, enough of that, we will definately make this when "our" cucumber harvest is here!
 
This looks so refreshing - perfect for a warm summer day! And I agree - I prefer the crisper English cucumbers too. This might go on the menu for tonight - thanks :-)
 
Lizthechef June 7, 2010
Thanks - I hope you like it!
 
aargersi June 7, 2010
This is a perfect summer side dish ... yummy!