Creamy Cucumber Salad

Here is another recipe requested using the rescued produce.  Out of all the cucumber salads, this one might be my favorite.  The creamy dill dressing seems like the perfect complement to the cucumbers.

For those who know me, you know I just won't shut up about how awesome eating cucumbers is in the Summer.  Ayurveda recognizes Summer as a time when internal balance can be disrupted by heat, overexertion, and overstimulation, which can lead you feeling burnout.  Dry, hot, and oily qualities increase in the body.  People can end up with symptoms like irritability, anger, insomnia, heat rashes, inflammation, restlessness, excessive sweating, constipation, and even heart palpitations.

Diet is the number one way you can counteract these qualities.  Eating foods that are sweet, bitter, and astringent supports fluid balance in the body.  Seasonal foods like cucumbers, melons, celery, grapes, berries, summer squash, and leafy greens.  Herbs like mint, cilantro, dill, fennel, cacao nibs, chamomile, hibiscus, and lavender.  This is the season when a bittersweet chocolate, like a 75% or higher cocoa, can actually help bring your body temperature down.  Though remember, any food should be eaten in moderation.  Usually, one or two squares are enough from any extra dark chocolate bar.  No, milk chocolate doesn't help at all.

Cucumbers, in particular, are made up of 96% water.  They are rich in nutrients like vitamin A, vitamin K, and essential minerals such as calcium, potassium, and magnesium.  Adding a little salt to them and they are amazing, at helping to replenish electrolytes.  It has a mild diuretic property that helps flush out toxins and excess heat through the urinary system, making it ideal for cleansing.  If you have weak digestion, one way to tell is when you wake up in the morning, do you have a thin white skim on your tongue?  This is your body telling you that it is still processing your dinner from the evening before.  If so, make sure to eat foods containing cumin or ginger to help strengthen your digestive fire.

This post may contain affiliate links.

 

Creamy Cucumber Salad

1 English cucumber, split lengthwise and sliced

1/4 red onion, minced + a splash of white vinegar

1 clove of garlic, minced

1/2 cup whole milk yogurt

1 tsp dried dill weed or 1 tbsp fresh

1 tbsp red wine vinegar

1 tsp lemon juice

1/2 tsp pink salt and black pepper 

Makes 4 servings

Start by putting the onions and garlic in a small bowl.  Cover them with water and add a splash of vinegar; let them sit for 10 minutes.  This will shock the onions and make them less pungent (pungent causes heat).  In a salad bowl, add the remaining ingredients and mix well.  Drain the onions and add to the salad.  Mix and serve.

Greek Salad

Potato Salad

Purple Coleslaw

To follow our bliss and to dive deeply into the mysteries of fragrance, color, and tastes; blend with the magnificent diversity of Mother Nature; and follow the inner signs to discover who we really are - is the Alchemy of Alurvedic Cookery.

 - Prana Gogia