Charred Cucumber And Radish Salad With Yogurt Recipes

CUCUMBER AND RADISH SALAD WITH YOGURT AND CUMIN

Steps:

• Cut the cucumbers in half and using a teaspoon, scoop out seeds if necessary. Slice paper-thin. Toss with a generous amount of salt and place in a colander over a bowl or in the sink for 10 minutes. Place in a bowl of cold water and swish them around, then salt again and let sit for another 10 minutes. Rinse and drain on a clean kitchen towel. Transfer to a salad bowl and add the radishes and sesame seeds or nigella seeds.
• In a small bowl stir the cumin, pepper, turmeric and curry powder into the yogurt. Whisk in the garlic and lemon juice. Add salt to taste. Toss with the cucumbers and radishes, garnish with chopped chives and serve, or refrigerate until ready to serve.

CHARRED-CUCUMBER-AND-RADISH SALAD WITH YOGURT

Steps:

• Preheat a charcoal grill, or prepare a fire in a fireplace or fire pit. When the flames subside and the coals or wood turn to red embers, place whole cucumbers and radishes directly on embers and cook, turning a few times, until blackened all over, 6 to 8 minutes. Remove; let cool completely, about 20 minutes.
• Stir together yogurt, oil, and 3/4 teaspoon salt. Dollop 1/4 cup yogurt mixture along one side of each plate. Spread into a half-moon with the back of a spoon; sprinkle with nigella seeds. Toss together watercress, nasturtium leaves, marigold leaves, and cucumber strips; divide evenly among plates, overlapping slightly with yogurt. Cut charred cucumbers on the bias into 1-inch pieces, and quarter radishes lengthwise; divide evenly among plates. Sprinkle with lemon zest; drizzle with juice and oil. Season with salt and garnish with flowers; serve.

RADISH AND CUCUMBER SALAD WITH YOGURT DRESSING

Steps:

• In a cheesecloth-lined sieve set over a bowl let the yogurt drain for 2 hours. In a bowl stir together the drained yogurt, the radishes, the cucumber, the garlic paste, the mint or parsley, and salt and pepper to taste. Divide the salad among individual salad plates lined with the lettuce or serve it as a sandwich filling for the pita bread.

CHARRED OKRA SALAD WITH GARLICKY YOGURT

Steps:

• Squeeze the juice of half a lime into a bowl and add the red onion slices, then stir in honey, a large pinch each of salt and pepper, and cayenne. Let sit at room temperature while preparing the other ingredients (or for at least 30 minutes for the flavors to meld). Stir occasionally. Before serving, taste and add more salt or squeeze in more lime juice, if you like.
• Heat the broiler and line a sheet pan with foil. Add okra to the pan, drizzle with enough oil to coat the pods and sprinkle with salt, tossing well. Arrange okra into one layer. Broil until tender and charred, 5 to 8 minutes. Sprinkle with cumin right out of the oven while still hot. Taste and add more salt or cumin, if you like. Let cool slightly.
• While the okra broils, make the dressing: In a small bowl, combine yogurt, garlic and a squeeze or two of lime juice. Slowly whisk in 3 to 4 tablespoons of oil until the dressing has the texture of heavy cream. Season with salt and pepper to taste.
• Assemble the salad: In a large bowl, combine lettuce, arugula, herbs, cucumber and tomato. Season to taste with a squeeze of lime juice, a little more olive oil to coat the vegetables, and salt and pepper, tossing well.
• To serve, place salad on individual plates. Top with okra. Drizzle with yogurt dressing, and garnish with some of the cayenne onions. Serve immediately.