Cucumbers With Yogurt Recipes

CUCUMBER SALAD WITH YOGURT

Steps:

• Combine cucumber, yogurt, sugar, vinegar, and salt in a bowl. Mix to combine. Taste and adjust seasoning to your liking.

GREEK YOGURT-CUCUMBER SAUCE - GERMAN TSATSIKI

Steps:

• If you do not have Greek yogurt (very thick yogurt), line a colander with paper towels and place plain yogurt into it. Cover with more paper towels to drain excess liquid for 15 minutes or longer.
• Shred half a cucumber, place in a colander, sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt or to taste and let sit for 15 minutes. Press excess liquid out.
• In a small bowl, mix together 1 cup Greek yogurt or yogurt cheese, shredded and pressed cucumber, 2 minced cloves garlic, 1 teaspoon lemon juice and 2 teaspoons olive oil. Refrigerate until ready to serve. The longer it sits, the more the garlic melds with the other ingredients. If the sauce looks runny, stir the liquid back in.
• The German presentation is to garnish with sprigs of fresh dill or chopped fresh dill or drizzle with a little extra-virgin olive oil over the dish.

CUCUMBERS WITH YOGURT

Steps:

• If cucumber is waxed, peel it. Kirby or pickling cucumbers do not require peeling since they are not waxed.
• Slice cucumbers thinly.
• Combine remaining ingredients and mix well. Stir in cucumbers and serve.

CUCUMBERS IN YOGURT

Steps:

• If using a regular supermarket brand of yogurt (not Greek), drain in a paper-towel-lined sieve set over a bowl 1 hour. Discard liquid.
• While yogurt drains, cut cucumber into 1/2-inch cubes. Transfer to another sieve set over a bowl and toss with 1 teaspoon kosher salt, then drain 1 hour. Rinse cucumber and pat dry.
• Mince and mash garlic to a paste with remaining 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt using a large heavy knife. Stir together yogurt, cucumbers, garlic paste, and salt to taste in a bowl.

CUCUMBER YOGURT SAUCE

Steps:

• Drain the yogurt in a cheesecloth-lined strainer set over a bowl for 1 hour.
• In a bowl, combine all ingredients. Serve as a salad dressing or as an accompaniment with spicy foods, such as vegetable curry.

SPICY CUCUMBERS WITH YOGURT, LEMON AND HERBS

Steps:

• Toss the cucumber pieces with 1 teaspoon salt and set in a colander in the sink to drain.
• In a small pot, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the coriander and cumin, and toast until fragrant, stirring to avoid scorching, about 1 minute. Remove oil from heat, add red-pepper flakes and allow to cool.
• In a medium bowl, toss the salted cucumber pieces with the scallions, spiced oil and apple cider vinegar. Allow to marinate in the refrigerator for 15 minutes or overnight while you prepare the yogurt.
• In a small bowl, combine the yogurt, half of the herbs (mint, dill and parsley), zest and juice of the lemon and the olive oil. Stir to incorporate, and season to taste with salt and pepper.
• Spread the yogurt mixture on a plate or the bottom of a shallow bowl. Using a slotted spoon to drain the cucumbers and scallions of excess liquid, evenly place the cucumbers and scallions on top of the yogurt. Finish with the remaining chopped herbs and pine nuts (if using), and serve immediately.

CUCUMBER YOGURT DIP

Steps:

• to drain the yogurt, line a mesh colandar with cheesecloth or a coffee filter and hang over a bowl. Let the yogurt drain at least an hour or two, but no big deal if it is easier for you the night before. If that is the case, make sure to cover the top and leave it in the fridge.
• This can be skipped if you can get your hands on real Greek yogurt, which is thicker than most commerical brands.
• Place the now thickened yorgurt to a bowl and add the other ingredients. Best if it sits for a bit to let the flavors combine, but with me, it is likely that it will get eaten long before.
• You may keep leftovers in the fridge, but I find the raw garlic can get a bit intense upon sitting. Not that that is a bad thing, but consider yourself warned.