Cold Cucumber Sauce Recipes

CUCUMBER SAUCE

Steps:

• Line a fine mesh strainer with two layers of cheesecloth. Place yogurt in strainer over a bowl. Cover and refrigerate for at least four hours or overnight., Drain and discard liquid in bowl; set yogurt aside. Place cucumber in a colander over a plate; sprinkle with salt. Let stand for 15 minutes; discard liquid. , In a small bowl, whisk oil and vinegar until blended. Stir in the garlic, yogurt and cucumber.

COLD CUCUMBER SAUCE

Steps:

• 1. Cut the cucumbers into 1/8-inch dice with a chef's knife, or pulse them in a food processor until chopped into 1/8-inch pieces (do not over process). Place the cucumbers in a large stainless steel strainer set in the sink or over a bowl, sprinkle them with 1 teaspoon salt, and let them drain for 30 minutes.
• 2. Meanwhile, place the onion in a small bowl, cover with cold water, and let stand for 30 minutes.
• 3. Transfer the cucumbers to a large bowl, squeezing the last bit of excess moisture from them with your hands before you place them in the bowl. Drain the onion thoroughly and add to the cucumbers. Add the yogurt, sour cream, herbs, and jalapeño, if using. Mix gently, and add the lemon juice. Season with black pepper, taste, and add more lemon or salt as you wish. Refrigerate for at least 1 hour before serving. The sauce keeps refrigerated for 2 days.

CHILLED CUCUMBER SOUP WITH FIERY YOGURT SAUCE

Steps:

• Make the soup: Put the English cucumber slices in a blender and add 1/4 cup cold water. Blend on low speed until smooth (you don't want to whip too much air into the soup). You may have to stop the blender to push the cucumbers down toward the blade. Season with salt, pepper and a touch of honey, if a little sweetness is needed. Transfer to a small bowl, then set it in a larger bowl filled with ice water to chill, about 3 hours.
• Meanwhile, make the sauce: Combine the chile pepper, honey, paprika and cumin in a small bowl and mash well with the back of a spoon so the ingredients meld. (If you own a mortar and pestle, this is a great chance to pull it out.) Stir in the yogurt and vinegar. Season with salt.
• Just before serving, drizzle the Kirby cucumber spears with the lemon juice and season with salt and pepper. Give the soup a final stir and pour into small glasses. Drizzle the yogurt sauce on top, garnish with the cucumber spears and serve immediately.

COLD CUCUMBER DILL SAUCE

Steps:

• Puree all ingredients in food processor.
• Chill 3-4 hours before serving.
• Serve with salmon or poached white fish.

COLD NOODLES WITH SESAME SAUCE, CHICKEN AND CUCUMBERS

Steps:

• Set a large pot of water to boil and salt it. If your chicken is uncooked, poach it in water as it comes to a boil; it will cook in about 10 minutes. Meanwhile, peel cucumbers, cut them in half, and, using a spoon, scoop out seeds. Cut cucumber into shreds and set aside.
• When water comes to a boil, cook pasta until tender but not mushy. (If chicken is not done, you can still add pasta; remove chicken when it is done.) While pasta is cooking, whisk together sesame oil and paste, sugar, soy, ginger, vinegar, hot oil and pepper in a large bowl. Thin sauce with hot water, so that it is about the consistency of heavy cream; you will need 1/4 to 1/2 cup. Stir in cucumber. When pasta is done, drain it and run pasta (and chicken, if necessary) under cold water. Drain. Shred chicken (the easiest way to do this is with your fingers).
• Toss noodles and chicken with sauce and cucumbers. Taste and adjust seasoning as necessary (the dish may need salt), then garnish and serve.

CHILLED SALMON WITH CUCUMBER-DILL SAUCE

Steps:

• In a large skillet, combine the water, wine, onions and peppercorns. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; carefully add salmon. Cover and cook for 5-7 minutes or until fish flakes easily with a fork., With a spatula, carefully remove salmon; discard cooking liquid. Cool salmon for 10 minutes; refrigerate until chilled. In a small bowl, combine the sauce ingredients. Serve with salmon.

COLD SESAME NOODLES WITH CUCUMBER

Steps:

• Bring a pot of water to a boil. Prepare a bowl of ice water.
• Cook the noodles in boiling water until al dente, 3 to 5 minutes. Drain and transfer to a bowl of ice water and soak for 5 minutes, until well chilled. Drain again, return to the bowl, toss with the peanut oil, and set aside.
• In a large bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame seeds, honey, ginger, garlic, red pepper flakes, and sriracha. Fold in the grated cucumber, half the scallion, and half the peanuts. Add the chilled pasta and toss to coat thoroughly. Transfer to a serving bowl, twirling the pasta into a nest shape. Top with the sliced cucumber, cilantro, and the remaining scallion and peanuts.