Cucumber Salad: Fresh, Healthy, and Refreshing

Lily Ploegmakers 27.August.2024 0 comments

Today, we have a delightful and refreshing recipe for you that pairs perfectly with some of our finest white wines. This cucumber salad is not only easy to make but also incredibly healthy and refreshing. Ideal for those hot summer days or as a light starter, this dish will tantalise your taste buds. Let's get started!

Ingredients

For 2 people:

Cucumber: 1
Lemon: 1
Mayonnaise: 30 ml
Low-fat fresh cheese or natural yogurt: 100 ml
Garlic cloves (without the germ): 0.5
Apple vinegar or rice vinegar: 5 ml
Extra virgin olive oil: 5 ml
Fresh or dried dill
Fresh parsley or coriander
Capers to taste
Ground black pepper
Salt

Cooking Instructions

How to Make Cucumber Salad

Difficulty: Easy
Total Time: 15 minutes
Preparation Time: 15 minutes
Resting Time: 30 minutes

Step-by-Step Instructions:

Prepare the Cucumber: Start by washing and drying the cucumber, cutting off the ends, and slicing it into very thin rounds, just a few millimetres thick. A mandoline or a sharp knife used with care is recommended.
Salt the Cucumber: Place the sliced cucumber in a colander over a bowl, add a good pinch of salt, gently stir, and leave for at least 30 minutes. Stir occasionally. The cucumber will release water; press gently with kitchen paper to remove more liquid. Transfer to a serving dish.
Prepare the Dressing: Finely chop the half garlic clove (without the germ). Wash the lemon and grate some fine zest over the cucumber, avoiding the white pith. Wash a handful of dill and parsley, and finely chop.
Mix the Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together the mayonnaise and fresh cheese or yogurt (or a combination), add the vinegar, a splash of lemon juice, olive oil, and a dash of black pepper.
Combine: Pour the dressing over the cucumber and gently mix until you have a creamy, well-coated salad. Add capers to taste and a bit more salt if needed.
Serve: When transferring to a serving bowl, some dressing will likely accumulate at the bottom of the dish. You can serve this extra dressing in a small bowl on the side.

Serving Suggestions

This creamy cucumber salad is best served chilled, so you may want to refrigerate it before serving, stirring gently before plating. It is wonderfully light and makes an excellent starter for both lunch and dinner, especially on hot days. Pair it with some good bread to soak up the delicious dressing.

Wine Pairings

We recommend enjoying this cucumber salad with one of the following white wines from our store:

Herdade Das Servas Colheita Seleccionada 2020 White Wine: With its aromas of peach, lemon, tangerine, and tropical notes, this fresh, complex, and elegant wine from Alentejo, Portugal, is a perfect match for the salad. Discover more here.
Casa da Urra Colheita Seleccionada 2018 White Wine: This harmonious blend of Verdelho and Alvarinho offers a fresh and mineral finish, ideal for pairing with cucumbers' crispness. Learn more here.
Mare Viva Reserva White 2018: A blend of Fernão Pires, Arinto, and Verdelho, this wine has an elegant and intense aroma of white fruits complemented by spicy notes, making it an excellent companion for the salad. Check it out here.

Conclusion

We hope you enjoy making and tasting this delightful cucumber salad! For more recipes and exclusive wine pairings, explore our website and join our community of food and wine enthusiasts. Cheers to delicious meals and perfect wine pairings!

Ready to explore our wines? Shop Now and discover extraordinary flavours from around the world.

Tags :