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The Misadventures of Mrs. B: Refreshing Cucumber Salad

Cook. Writer. Wife. Daughter. Sister. Friend. Klutz.

Tuesday, March 23, 2010

Refreshing Cucumber Salad

Okay, don't be too surprised by this...

...but we're gonna talk about yet another "light" recipe today.  In honor of spring!

I know, I know.  How unlike me.

But I enjoy stretching my legs as little bit, as it were.  And it's not all about butter, is it?

Just humor me.

On Saturday, one of the dishes I made for our family barbecue was cucumber salad.  I had never attempted this simple dish before and I will probably play with it in the future.  But here's what happened this weekend:

I took two cucumbers...



...peeled them...


...and sliced them thin.


Here is an example of just how thin they were:


Now this is important.  I sprinkled a tablespoon of salt over the cucumbers, mixing them around while I did so, and left them in the fridge for well over an hour - maybe 90 minutes or so.  This really pulled the excess water out of the cukes, which I poured off.  Don't worry, the salt will not affect the taste of the dish - I could barely tell it was there.  I also pressed paper towels onto the slices to pick up any extra water.  This is all a very good thing, so your finished product isn't all watered down.

I then thinly sliced around a quarter of a large onion.  My crowd aren't huge onion fans so I went light on them - feel free to add more if you wish!


I then brought 1/2 cup of white vinegar, 1/4 cup of water, 1/2 cup of sugar and 2 teaspoons of dried dill mix to a boil...


...and poured it over the cucumbers and onions.  This sat covered in the fridge for a few hours.  When I took it out it looked like this!


This was such a refreshing treat! I think that I'll play with the vinegar/sugar ratio in the future, and perhaps leave it to sit longer before serving.  We had some leftovers the next day and the vinegar had definitely developed into a stronger flavor.  Rob didn't like it as much then, whereas I LOVED it.

So I'll leave that up to you!

Enjoy!

Sharing with:

Side Dish Showdown Blogger Event

Sumo Sweet Stuff



Blessed with Grace

All the Small Stuff - Tuesdays at the Table
Balancing Beauty and Bedlam - Tasty Tuesday


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50 Comments:

Blogger Unknown said...

Looks Yummy! I've heard of cucumber salad but have never got to try it!

March 23, 2010 at 6:40 AM

 
Blogger Sherry said...

Mmmm... This looks like something I would love. I may have to give this a try in the near future.

March 23, 2010 at 10:18 AM

 
Blogger The Fajdich Times said...

Yes, that looks like spring. Cucumber salad is such a great summer dish:)

March 23, 2010 at 10:22 AM

 
Blogger KatiePerk said...

This looks so good! And what a great summery side dish! I am a new follower! Just found you through Tasty Tuesday! Your blog is great!

March 23, 2010 at 10:22 AM

 
Blogger ARUNA said...

Looks very inviting, nice blog!!!

March 23, 2010 at 10:23 AM

 
Blogger Beth Zimmerman said...

Mmmmmm ... sounds yummy! One of my all time favorites (we ate it in Mexico when I was an exchange student there as a teen) is green onions - cut the "hair" off the bulb end and cross split the bulb (cut in quarters), dip in salt, and then set in vinegar. YUMMY! :) Wonder why I never make that! Probably because I seldom COOK! :)

March 23, 2010 at 11:02 AM

 
Blogger Alison said...

This sounds amazing! I love cucumber salad but never made it with vinegar. I always use just some mayo (just a little) and some black pepper. I'll have to give this a try!

March 23, 2010 at 11:19 AM

 
Blogger Susie said...

What a great spring dish!!

March 23, 2010 at 11:25 AM

 
Blogger Pamela Scott said...

I love cucumbers and onions its a favorite of mine this time of year...thanks for stopping by my blog today!

March 23, 2010 at 11:35 AM

 
Blogger Jackie said...

Sounds yummy...thanks for sharing!

March 23, 2010 at 11:40 AM

 
Blogger Cole said...

I've had a similar salad and LOVED it! I'll have to try your salad. :-)

March 23, 2010 at 12:02 PM

 
Blogger Signing Out said...

Jen, this sounds yummy! I can't wait to try it.

Jane

March 23, 2010 at 12:03 PM

 
Blogger Kate @ The Gaines Gang said...

I can't wait to get my garden in the ground this year. We love to eat fresh cucumbers. This sounds de-lish.

Thanks for sharing and thanks for stopping by my blog.

March 23, 2010 at 12:45 PM

 
Anonymous Rene said...

Thank you for visiting my blog! Your salad looks refreshing and healthy!

March 23, 2010 at 1:19 PM

 
Blogger Unknown said...

This is a staple in our summer refrigerator. Crisp, garden cukes and that tangy dressing...makes a great snack!

Blessings!
Gail

March 23, 2010 at 1:29 PM

 
Blogger Kristen said...

My mom made this when I was a little girl. Seeing it on the table always meant summer had arrived.

March 23, 2010 at 2:34 PM

 
Blogger Allison @ Alli 'n Son said...

Yum. Simple and tasty. Sounds like the perfect salad for a picnic.

March 23, 2010 at 2:47 PM

 
Blogger Stephanie said...

What a great recipe! Cucumbers always feel like such a summer dish to me, and really put me in the mood for warmer weather!

March 23, 2010 at 2:47 PM

 
Blogger Alea Milham said...

I love cucumber salad! Thanks for the tip on drawing out the water!

March 23, 2010 at 2:47 PM

 
Blogger Brian + Cheryl B. said...

Hi Jen, I saw the comment that you had left at "Frugal Fine Living" about baking the ham this year for Easter, and I thought I'd share 'my way' of doing so with you.

When baking a ham, like she said, I remove it from it's packaging and score it. After putting it in the pan, I SLOWELY pour apple juice over all of it. Some soaks down into the scores, while some slides down to the bottom of the pan. I then sprinkle the whole top of the ham with a sort of light layer of brown sugar. (My Mom use to then put pineapple rings on top, anchored with toothpicks, but none of my guys like pineapple ....)

I then put the top on the oven roaster pan, and put it in a preheated 300 degrees oven, where I let it bake for four to five hours.

Have you ever tried serving ham with a 'ketchup' made from jellied cranberry sauce? Zingy and good!

My husband loves cucumbers, and his mom makes this salad with thinly sliced cucumbers, thinly sliced onions, water chesnuts and a mix of Miracle Whip and Sour Creme. It might not qualify under the 'light' like yours does, but they LOVE it.

How are your feet doing?

March 23, 2010 at 3:06 PM

 
Blogger Expressions by Heather said...

My grandpa can's a mix similar to this every year. Hubby loves it!

March 23, 2010 at 3:37 PM

 
Blogger Family Balance Sheet said...

This makes me hungry for summer!

March 23, 2010 at 3:54 PM

 
Blogger Elaine said...

Jen.....this looks like a great Spring/Summer recipe. Will definitely have to give it a try. :)

March 23, 2010 at 5:10 PM

 
Blogger Laurie said...

Veggies are in! Must be the post for the day. :) Thanks for sharing.

March 23, 2010 at 5:36 PM

 
Blogger Katie said...

I love this! My grandma always makes something similar, but doesn't boil the dressing. Sounds so good on this nice spring day!

March 23, 2010 at 6:40 PM

 
Anonymous Heather said...

Sounds so yummy! I love cucumber recipes, and this one just makes it feel like spring :)

By the way - your chocolate cake? Last weeks recipe? Absolutely AWESOME. My boys can't thank you enough!

March 23, 2010 at 7:30 PM

 
Anonymous Melinda said...

Cucumbers are such a delicious summer treat - I can't wait to taste them again!

March 23, 2010 at 10:01 PM

 
Blogger Sherrie said...

I make a similar cucumber salad with toasted sesame seeds and shrimp added. Very popular on a summer's day.

March 23, 2010 at 10:31 PM

 
Blogger Michelle said...

Oooo I love cucumber salad. But I'm funny - I never peel mine. I hadn't thought to boil the vinegar and sugar though. I like that idea and will have to try it. Thanks!

March 23, 2010 at 10:34 PM

 
Blogger Kelly Loy Gilbert said...

I just bought a cucumber this week! And am totally going to make this with it. Thanks!

March 24, 2010 at 2:22 AM

 
Blogger Carissa said...

Love cucumbers! Not a raw onion fan though. I wonder if it would be okay without it or if I could use something else instead?

March 24, 2010 at 10:25 AM

 
Blogger MrsJenB said...

Oooh, I love the idea of adding shrimp! Never thought of that! That would really round it out into a more filling dish...looks like *someone* is gonna make this again!

I just published a comment but it's not showing up here regarding the use of onions, and whether they are required. I'd say skip 'em if you don't like them. I mean, you'd probably just pick them out anyway, right? :-)

March 24, 2010 at 10:35 AM

 
Blogger Smart Money Mom said...

I love cucumber salad! My grandmother used to make it for us...yummy! Your pictures are great!

March 24, 2010 at 11:42 AM

 
Blogger Reeni said...

What a totally delicious and refreshing salad! I love it. Great idea to boil the vinegar and sugar. Thanks for sending it to the Showdown!

March 24, 2010 at 12:18 PM

 
Blogger Carla said...

This looks delicious! I can't wait to try it!

March 24, 2010 at 1:13 PM

 
Blogger Heather said...

I make this ALL the time in the summer. I do it a bit differently. I use red onion and I just use rice vinegar and a bit of fresh cracked pepper, it's totally yummy!

March 24, 2010 at 1:35 PM

 
Blogger Sherry @ Lamp Unto My Feet said...

This sounds absolutely delish! :D I love cukes! :D

March 24, 2010 at 2:50 PM

 
Blogger Linda said...

You're really making me want some garden fresh cucumbers!

March 24, 2010 at 3:18 PM

 
Blogger Felicia said...

This sounds so good that I think I"ll buy some cucumbers next grocery visit!!

March 24, 2010 at 6:57 PM

 
Blogger ~Isabel said...

Now i'm going to have to get some fresh cucumbers...this really looks yummy. And even better is the fact that i think i can make it! :)

March 24, 2010 at 7:43 PM

 
Anonymous Faith said...

Thank you so much for stopping by my blog! This salad looks so light and refreshing...I'm starting to crave summer foods and veggies straight out of the garden...I'll definitely be making this recipe! :)

March 24, 2010 at 8:31 PM

 
Blogger Julie said...

This looks delicious! Reminds me of summer! Thanks for stopping by my blog!

March 25, 2010 at 7:27 AM

 
Blogger Red Couch Recipes said...

I love a good cucumber salad and I never learned how to make it from my mother. I am bookmarking this one. Thanks. JOni

March 26, 2010 at 9:59 AM

 
Anonymous Anonymous said...

This simple, flavorful combination sounds very European. I ate something like this in Belgium and it was very fresh and healthy.

Thanks for joining Food on Fridays this week!

March 26, 2010 at 10:47 PM

 
Blogger Rattlebridge Farm said...

Oh, I love this cucumber salad. It is exactly what I need after a long winter of eating cookies. We hope to plant cucumbers (if the soil ever dries out from all the rain), but until then, I am out the door in 10 minutes to buy cukes! Thanks for adding this wonderful recipe to Foodie Friday!

March 27, 2010 at 3:58 PM

 
Blogger gfe--gluten free easily said...

Fantastic idea! Cucumbers are so refreshing and sometimes I don't use mine right away for green salads. Can't wait to make this one. You could use sweet onion, red onions, yellow onions, etc. Thanks for the recipe and stopping by my blog, too! :-)

Shirley

March 28, 2010 at 3:32 PM

 
Blogger Christy said...

I make cucumber salad a lot in the summer but have never seen a recipe where you cook the sauce first. I am going to have to give that a try!

March 29, 2010 at 8:25 PM

 
Blogger Jerri at Simply Sweet Home said...

My hubby loves cucumbers! I bet he'd like this salad a lot!

Thanks for linking up for Friday Favorites!

March 30, 2010 at 4:23 AM

 
Blogger Daphne said...

This sounds so good! I am wondering what it would taste like with red wine vinegar or basalmic. hmmm... will have to try it. Thanks!

April 5, 2010 at 11:13 PM

 
Blogger Daphne said...

I made this! I made some changes; I used basalmic vinegar and purple onions. It was delicious! I posted about it on my blog and gave you a shout out. Thanks for the recipe!

May 1, 2010 at 9:34 PM

 

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