A Refreshing Cucumber Salad that Brings the Heat

"Cool as a cucumber" is actually fully rooted in fact: Cucumbers are always a few degrees cooler than room temperature—and if you ask us, this makes them the perfect contender for cooling meals on hot days.

60 Actually Exciting Recipes to Use Up All Those Summer Cucumbers

Read Article

It's Hot to Be Cool Thai-Inspired Cucumber Salad

View Recipe

Amber Olson, whose It's Hot to Be Cool Thai-Inspired Cucumber Salad caught our attention, knows that well. She also knows that spicy foods are cooling (they'll make you sweat!), so in addition to those cool cucumbers, she's thrown in Thai-spiced, dry-roasted peanuts. And if things get too hot, just add more creamy dressing, made from silken tofu and minced lemongrass (or take a sip—it's that good).

It's Hot to Be Cool Thai-Inspired Cucumber Salad

View Recipe

Ingredients

1	large, cold cucumber, washed, peeled, halved lengthwise, seeded and sliced into 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch thick slices
	Coarse salt
1	cup dry-roasted peanuts
	Thai hot chile oil, to taste
	Sea salt, to taste
1/2	cup silken tofu
1/2	cup rich, creamy cold coconut milk
4	teaspoons minced lemongrass
1	tablespoon fresh-squeezed lime juice
1/2	teaspoon salt
1/2	teaspoon sugar
2	tablespoons coarsely chopped mint
one	2-inch long Serrano pepper, coarsely chopped
6	large mint leaves, finely julienned

1	large, cold cucumber, washed, peeled, halved lengthwise, seeded and sliced into 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch thick slices
	Coarse salt
1	cup dry-roasted peanuts
	Thai hot chile oil, to taste
	Sea salt, to taste
1/2	cup silken tofu
1/2	cup rich, creamy cold coconut milk

4	teaspoons minced lemongrass
1	tablespoon fresh-squeezed lime juice
1/2	teaspoon salt
1/2	teaspoon sugar
2	tablespoons coarsely chopped mint
one	2-inch long Serrano pepper, coarsely chopped
6	large mint leaves, finely julienned

Do you have a favorite cucumber salad? Tell us in the comments below!