- October 6, 2018
- Snacks
- Natali Michaelis
The summer months are the time for global vitaminization and fresh greens. That is why, with the onset of the first warm days, various cucumber dishes become very popular on our table. Crispy, juicy, incredibly healthy... It's hard to find anyone who doesn't love these summer vegetables. The most interesting thing is that you can prepare many different culinary masterpieces from cucumbers. And you are mistaken if you think that these dishes are just salads. From these vegetables you can prepare many delicious snacks, healthy soups, vitamin cocktails, and desserts. In our article you can find the most popular recipes for cucumber dishes.
A little about cucumbers
This may seem surprising to many, but this vegetable is directly related to the pumpkin plant family. However, the origin of the name cucumber is connected with interesting historical facts. For example, the word “cucumber” in Sanskrit is very reminiscent of the name of an Indian prince who had more than 60 children. And this vegetable inside itself has a large number of seeds.
The name “cucumber” itself is of ancient Greek origin, and it is translated as “unripe”. This culture first appeared in India about 6,000 years ago. Nowadays, at the foothills of the Himalayan mountains, cucumbers can be found in their natural habitat. In ancient times, the Egyptians enjoyed these vegetables. And today, cucumber dishes are very popular all over the planet. From this vegetable you can make a huge number of different salads, as well as cold appetizers.
It is noteworthy that dishes made from fresh cucumbers are not only very tasty, but also beneficial for the human body. It's time to discuss what exactly the benefits of fresh vegetables are, as well as what the chemical composition of cucumber is.
Cold soup for those who prefer original dishes
When considering dishes made from fresh cucumbers, pay attention to the soup. This dish is quite simple to prepare. Cucumber soup is a traditional dish in many national cuisines, such as German.
To prepare you will need:
- 200 ml sour cream (thick) and the same amount of 30% cream;
- kilogram of cucumbers;
- 1 tbsp. spoon of Worcestershire sauce;
- liter of vegetable broth;
- crackers (for decoration);
- 150 ml yogurt (natural);
- 200 grams of smoked red fish;
- 2 tbsp. spoons of mustard;
- 5 cloves of garlic;
- 7 mint leaves (fresh);
- one bunch of greens (green onions, dill and parsley).
Cooking process
- First, wash the cucumbers thoroughly, peel if their skin is rough.
- Then grind them thoroughly on a coarse grater.
- Add sour cream, mustard, finely chopped mint, Worcestershire sauce, herbs and yogurt to the broth.
- Next, mix everything well with a whisk.
- Then pass the garlic through a press along with the grated cucumber. Add to the soup and stir again.
- Let the soup sit for about three hours in the refrigerator.
- When serving it, add cream, crackers and chopped fish.
Benefits of cucumbers
Before you start studying recipes for dishes made from fresh cucumbers, you need to consider the beneficial properties of this vegetable. As you know, a cucumber consists of approximately 95% water. Everything else in its chemical composition is vitamins belonging to the C, B and PP group, as well as fiber, carotene and various microelements and macroelements that are beneficial to the human body. Cucumbers contain a huge amount of different organic substances that promote better digestion, as well as the absorption of other foods.
The benefit of fresh cucumber lies in the fact that this vegetable is often also called the body's orderly. Since cucumber is rich in various beneficial substances, it can easily neutralize acidic compounds that contribute to the formation of kidney stones. In addition, cucumber can slow down the aging process in the human body.
All this suggests that cucumbers are simply irreplaceable vegetables, which are not only very tasty to eat, but also very healthy. If we consider cucumber recipes, then the simplest salad with sour cream and fresh herbs will turn out to be very banal. Today, modern housewives are trying to somehow surprise their households, so they want to feed them some unusual dishes that can be prepared from fresh cucumbers.
But what can you prepare from fresh cucumbers, besides salads?
Recipes for fresh cucumbers - exclusive salads for a light dinner
A particular problem of the 21st century is obesity. Therefore, many have to go on a diet that includes vegetable foods.
An excellent cucumber salad for dinner is prepared from the following ingredients:
- soft Feta cheese;
- cucumbers;
- sesame seeds;
- olive oil;
- salt;
- pepper optional.
Cucumbers are cut into thin slices into a small container.
The cheese is made into fairly large cubes so that it does not fall apart. The ingredients are carefully mixed. Sprinkle with salt, sesame seeds and pepper. Season with olive oil. The dish is not only low in calories, but also tastes excellent.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rNjr0ZJoRow
Another option for a light snack is prepared from simple ingredients:
- fresh cucumbers;
- tomatoes;
- bell pepper;
- cabbage;
- parsley;
- salt;
- sugar;
- vegetable oil;
- chicken fillet;
- seasonings;
- green pea;
- sweet corn.
All vegetables are thoroughly washed and wiped with kitchen napkins. Cucumbers are cut into slices. Cabbage and bell pepper are chopped into strips. Parsley is chopped into small pieces.
Chicken fillet is cooked until tender in salted water with any seasonings. When the breast has cooled, cut into equal cubes. All ingredients are placed in a spacious bowl. Stir. Salted. Add a pinch of granulated sugar for taste. Season with vegetable oil. When serving, sprinkle with chopped herbs. The dish has a spicy taste and also contains an abundance of healthy ingredients.
In the cookbook you can find many recipes with fresh cucumbers that will appeal to all family members. The main thing is to collect the necessary ingredients. And then feel free to pick up a knife, cutting board, suitable utensils and begin the creative process.
Unusual snacks in the form of rolls
Cucumbers go very well with the following products: fish, ham, cheese, cottage cheese, seafood. That is why a very common cucumber recipe for the holiday table is one that allows you to make a cucumber roll, for the preparation of which you can use a variety of different and unusual fillings. Such an appetizer can decorate even a celebratory bouquet, or can serve as a simple light snack.
If you are thinking about what can be made from fresh cucumbers, then you should pay attention to this recipe. To prepare cucumber rolls you will need the following products:
- 100 g of curd, cream or processed cheese.
- One medium sized fresh cucumber.
- 100 g crab sticks.
- A bunch of greenery.
- A couple of cloves of garlic, optional.
Assorted vegetables for the winter
With the arrival of autumn, most Russian families begin to do homemade preparations. Who doesn’t love pickled salads, savory snacks or assorted cucumbers for the winter? The recipes for the preparations are not too complicated, and therefore anyone can cope with them. And we invite you to try a delicious assortment of vegetables:
- Take two clean liter jars and place hot peppers and green onion rings on the bottom. Add a clove of garlic, bay leaf, peppercorns and chopped cilantro there.
- Wash 500 grams of small cucumbers, trim the ends and put them in jars.
- 500 grams of tomatoes should also be processed and then pierced with a toothpick in several places. Place the tomatoes on top of the cucumbers and pour boiling water over the vegetables.
- After 20 minutes, the liquid will need to be poured into a saucepan, add a little water, two large spoons of sugar and one and a half spoons of salt. Boil the marinade for another three minutes.
- Pour one spoon of vinegar into each jar, and then pour in boiling water.
Cover the assorted vegetables with lids and keep them upside down until they cool completely.
Cooking process
This appetizer is very easy to prepare. First of all, you need to grate the cheese, chop the herbs and crab sticks. After this, you need to remove the front and back parts from the cucumber, and cut the vegetable lengthwise into very thin slices. Using your hands, which are previously moistened with water, you need to roll small balls from the cheese mass, and then wrap them in a cucumber leaf. To fix the roll, you can use special sticks or toothpicks. If the cucumber is cut correctly, the leaf will be able to hold the shape of the roll on its own, without toothpicks. Before serving the dish, cucumber rolls must be generously seasoned with finely chopped herbs.
