Tomato, Mango, and Thai Peanut Cucumber Salads
Simple, Healthy Summer Side Dishes and Salad Dressing
Aug 25, 2008
As one of the most refreshing vegetables, cucumber is like watermelon for grownups. They pack a crisp cool bite, and can be sliced and snacked on like potato chips. And during spring and summer months when you can get them at 3 for $0.99 (US) at your local grocer, fresh and plentiful at your local vegetable stand, or even produce them with ease in your own garden, well what's not to love.
In addition to eating them solo, cucumbers are great for salads and side dishes, taking center stage as the main ingredient, or blending in. They are compatible with so many other vegetables and even fruits, mixing with sweet mango in the Cucumber Mango Salad recipe below, and salty foods, pairing deliciously with peanuts and soy sauce in Thai Cucumber Salad.
Cucumber Tomato Salad
Ingredients
- 1 large cucumber, peeled and sliced thin
- 2 tomatoes, sliced thick
- 1 onion, sliced thin
- 1 tablespoon fresh dill or 1 teaspoon dill weed
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 tablespoons white wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon pepper
- Parsley
Directions
- Mix all ingredients together and chill.
Cucumber Yogurt Salad Dressing
This is a delicious, heart healthy, low calorie salad dressing which can be used as a dip for pita chips or fresh vegetables, or as a topping for baked potatoes, steamed vegetables, or salads.
Ingredients
- 1 medium cucumber, peeled, seeded and coarsely chopped
- 2/3 cup plain, nonfat yogurt
- 2 tablespoons minced red onion
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar or white vinegar
- 1/4 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoon chopped fresh dill or 1/2 teaspoon dried dill
Directions
- Preparation methods vary depending on how you plan on serving the dressing.
- If you plan to use the dressing as a dip for vegetables, combine all ingredients in a blender or food processor and puree until creamy and smooth. Chill for about 2 hours before serving.
- As a topping for baked potatoes, or an addition to a salad, you may prefer chunks of cucumber. For this, stir ingredients by hand, and also chill.
Thai Cucumber Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
- 2 tablespoons peanut butter
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 4 cucumbers, sliced lengthwise, seeded and thinly sliced
- 1 shallot, thinly sliced
- ¼ cup diced cilantro
- 1/2 red pepper, cut into strips
Directions
- Combine the sugar, vinegar and salt and heat in a small sauce pan until sugar has dissolved (about 5 minutes) do not boil.
- Remove from heat and add peanut butter and soy sauce.
- Stir until blended, and cool completely.
- Pour over cucumbers and garnish with red peppers.
Cucumber, Mango and Red Onion Salad Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 medium cucumber, peeled and thinly sliced
- 1 mango, pitted and cut into large chunks
- 1 red onion, sliced thin
- 2 tablespoons lime juice
- 1 teaspoon oil
- 1 teaspoon white vinegar
- salt to taste
- 3 tablespoons cilantro
Directions
- Place the cucumber, mango and red onion in a medium bowl.
- Season to taste with the lime juice and salt. Stir in oil and vinegar. Garnish generously with cilantro.
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