Smashed Cucumbers And Radishes In Yogurt Sauce Recipes

SMASHED CUCUMBERS AND RADISHES IN YOGURT SAUCE

Steps:

• Combine garlic and lemon juice in a small bowl and let sit 5 minutes.
• Whisk yogurt, oil, and sugar in a large bowl; season with salt and pepper. Whisk in garlic mixture.
• Using a rolling pin, meat mallet, or the flat side of a chef's knife, lightly whack cucumbers and radishes so they begin to split apart (but not so forcefully that you smash them to smithereens). Tear cucumbers and radishes into bite-size pieces with your hands and fold into yogurt mixture. Season salad with more salt and lots and lots of pepper.
• Transfer salad to an airtight container; cover and chill at least 2 hours. Shake to combine before serving.
• Salad can be made 3 days ahead. Keep chilled.

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.

CHILLED CUCUMBER-YOGURT SOUP WITH RADISHES

Steps:

• Combine yogurt, cucumbers, garlic, salt, cumin, curry and ginger in blender. Puree until smooth. Strain through fine sieve into large bowl. Refrigerate until well chilled, about 2 hours. (Can be prepared 1 day ahead. Keep refrigerated.)
• Ladle soup into bowls. Top with radishes and serve.

CHINESE SMASHED CUCUMBERS WITH SESAME OIL AND GARLIC

Steps:

• Rinse cucumbers and pat dry. Cut crosswise into pieces about 4 inches long. Cut each piece in half lengthwise.
• On a work surface, place a piece of cucumber (or several) cut side down. Lay the blade of a large knife flat on top the cucumber and smash down lightly with your other hand. The skin will begin to crack, the flesh will break down and the seeds will separate. Repeat until the whole piece is smashed. Break or slice diagonally into bite-size pieces, leaving the seeds behind.
• Place the cucumber pieces in a strainer and toss with a big pinch of salt and a big pinch of sugar. Place a plastic bag filled with ice on top of the cucumbers to serve as a weight and place the strainer over a bowl. Let drain 15 to 30 minutes on the counter, or in the refrigerator until ready to serve, up to 4 hours.
• Make the dressing: In a small bowl, combine salt, sugar and rice vinegar. Stir until salt and sugar are dissolved. Stir in sesame oil and soy sauce.
• When ready to serve, shake cucumbers well to drain off any remaining liquid and transfer to a serving bowl. Drizzle with grapeseed or olive oil and toss. Add half the dressing, half the garlic and the red pepper flakes to taste, and toss. Keep adding dressing until cucumbers are well coated but not drowned. Taste and add more pepper flakes and garlic if needed. Serve immediately, garnished with cilantro and sesame seeds.