Cucumber Reviver Recipes

CUCUMBER COOLER

Steps:

• In a blender, puree cucumbers and water. Pour through a fine-mesh sieve set over a large bowl, pressing on solids (you should have about 2 cups juice; refrigerate overnight, if desired). In a pitcher, mash fresh mint leaves with back of a wooden spoon until bruised. Add cucumber juice, lime, club soda, and agave nectar or honey; stir to combine. Fill 4 glasses with ice, top with drink, and serve with thinly sliced cucumber.

JULIA CHILD'S BAKED CUCUMBERS WITH ALL VARIATIONS

Steps:

• Peel the cucumbers.
• Cut in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds with a spoon.
• Cut into lengthwise strips about 3/8 inch wide.
• Cut strips into 2 inch pieces.
• Toss the cucumber in a bowl with the vinegar, salt and sugar.
• Let stand for 30 minutes to several hours.
• Drain and pat dry in a towel.
• Preheat oven to 375.
• Toss the cucumbers in a baking dish with the butter, herbs, scallions and pepper.
• Set uncovered in the middle level of the preheated oven for about an hour, tossing 2-3 times, until cucumbers are tender, but still have a suggestion of crispiness and texture. They will barely color during cooking.
• Variation One: Parslied Cucumbers.
• In a warm vegetable dish toss with 2 Tbsp minced parsley.
• Variation Two: Creamed Cucumbers.
• Boil 1 cup whipping cream until it has reduced by half. Season with salt and pepper, fold into the hot baked cucumbers, sprinkle with parsley and serve.

CUCUMBER-MINT SPARKLE

Steps:

• Puree the mint, 1/3 cup water and three-quarters of the cucumber slices in a food processor until smooth. Strain the mixture into a pitcher, and stir in the agave.
• Right before serving, top with the club soda and vodka if using. Float the remaining cucumber slices in the pitcher. Serve over ice in small juice or rocks glasses.