Please go to Shan's place for more What's Cooking Wednesday participants.
A couple of weeks ago, I gave some Toronto restaurant reviews, and while I didn't give out any recipes, I talked about some of the things I had been making recently and then asked which recipes you wanted. The most popular request was Cucumbers in Sour Cream.
I first had this dish while living in Krasnodar, Russia. Some variation of this is available in all parts of Russia, I believe and it is a wonderfully refreshing summer treat. I was delighted to find an official recipe for it in Dara Goldstein's A La Russe cookbook (now known as A Taste of Russia. I could literally live on this and baguette and fruit all summer and not feel deprived.
Cucumbers in Sour Cream
Ingredients
2 cucumbers
1 cup reduced fat sour cream (I prefer Breakstone)
2 TBS cider vinegar (white balsamic works well, too)
4 TBS snipped fresh chives (or equivalent number of dried teaspoons)
2 TBS snipped fresh dill (or 2 tsp dried dill)
pepper to taste
2 tsp salt
1. If the cucumbers have been waxed, peel them; otherwise, wash them well but leave the peel on.
2. Slice the cucumbers very thin and pat them dry with paper towels:
3. Mix together the remaining ingredients, adding vinegar to taste.
4. Stir in cucumbers.
5. Let stand at room temperature for 30 minutes before refrigerating. NOTE: This is a VERY important step.
6. Serve well-chilled.
Serves 6.
Nutritional Info
Fat: 2.6g
Carbohydrates: 4.5g
Calories:45.6
Protein: 1.7g
Nutrition information provided by sparkrecipes.com
33 comments:
That looks very good, too! It's something I might even be able to have on my diet. :)
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I always love those Eastern European and Nordic salads. I was craving Dill tday. CS doesnt care for it so I need to usesome while hes away!
Oh, my dad makes these! One of my faves! Don't give me the recipe; then I can't make my dad make them for me anymore :) Ok, ok, we just won't tell him!
Yum! This looks great! If I weren't looking forward to sangria with you tonight, this is what I'd be making. Thanks!
hmm I always make a yoghurt tsasiki dressing....this could be the varient if I want a change. Sounds very refreshing
I had no idea this was a Russian dish. My Mum throws this together all the time in summer, and has all my life.
Hm.
I've made something similar to this. Almost the same, but without the chive. It was good and I'd totally make it again, especially for a summer BBQ.
that sounds appetizint!! yummm
plus I love your peace badges and the cost of iraq... horray for peace!!!
Chani, it's pretty great for diets because 1/6 of the recipe is actually quite a lot (I often halve this recipe and then you get 1/3, obviously, but it's better if you're not cooking for a crowd). One of my fave summer suppers is this salad, an ear of corn and sliced tomatoes.
Glamah - go! Go! Quick, while CS is away. ;-)
LOL, April. Just make sure Sylvia and Riley know to husssshhhhh around Grandpa!
Anno, actually, this would be great with Sangria! ;-)
Goofball, this is similar, but a little lighter, more sour (a little like pickles) and really a salad rather than a topping or dip.
Ella, I think this has migrated to various cultures/cuisines at this point.
Lilac, I used to make something similar without the chives, too, but I've actually found that the chives add a lot.
Dear P - thanks for stopping by and for the kind words! Yeah for peace, indeed!
I am making this this afternoon because I have everything I need and fresh cucumbers from the farmers market. Watch for it a link back here in the near future:D
That looks awesome Jen! I love cucumber salads of any variety! I am with Coco - love the Eastern Euro and Nordic salads!
Val and Jenn, I hope you enjoy this as much as I do - I just love it.
I love cucumbers in any form -- and one of my favorites is this recipe. :)My father is Hungarian so this was a staple in our household.
City Girl, I think this was found in most Eastern European kitchens - it's such a taste of summer!
Ben, I think you'd enjoy this - Russian food is also known for being "heavy," like Mexican food, but it's a stereotype in the Russian case, too. Russians love fresh fruits and veggies and use them whenever possible.
I just read this recipe in a Polish cookbook -- as you say, it's all over eastern Europe, where cucumbers grow easily, and where dill is the most popular herb.
I'm surprised that you skipped the usual step of salting and sweating the cukes before putting on the sour cream. Usefulness of this step probably depends on the cucumbers -- yours must be non-watery.
You know, Mae, I used to do that step, but now I find if I pat them dry, they're okay. And it's hard enough to wait that extra half hour!
This is one of my favorite summer dishes!
Luisa! How lovely to see you! I hope all is well.
Pretty simple recipe. I'm all about that! I just know my family would love this :) It looks so refreshing!
It's very refreshing and easy, Sandy. I hope you all enjoy it!
My Polish Grandma used to make this when I was a kid. Thanks for the memory and the recipe!
This must be the day for Polish recipes, Shan. Mae of Mae's Food Blog has a wonderful Polish cake recipe posted today. (The full link is too long, so just go to the main blog and scroll down):
http://maefood.blogspot.com
I made this last night to go with some poached salmon and it was fantastic! I usually make vinegar based cucumber salads so I'm glad to have a new recipe for a little variety. Cukes are sooooo good right now!
My kids devoured this in like two minutes. Cucumbers are gonna have to stop being a dollar each1
This looks wonderful. I had no idea there were so many great Michigan Food blogs out there. Just stumbled upon yours looking for a new Cucumber recipe. I'll have to give this a go.
That is such a delicious way to eat cukes! A little cold fish and black bread and I'm in Russia. :D
Kate, it's pretty perfect for poached salmon - I've even used it as a sort of sauce for that.
Liz, they have been high this year! (Along with everything else). Glad your kids liked it, though.
Dan - thanks for stopping by. This is sort of a mishmash blog. I liked your blog, too, and will put it in my reader. Cheers!
Heather, I so agree! ;-) And were you in Russia? I lived there for a bit.
Looks quite tasty!
I tried this the other day and it was a huge hit. A nice simple recipe that didn't require an extra trip to the grocery store..got to love that:D
I hope you enjoy it, Alex!
Val, that's one of the things I love about it. Sometimes simple is best.
I love cucumbers this way! My Hungarian MIL makes it and it is just delicious!
Wow! I didn't know that you lived in Russia. Very cool!
Oooh... I love this recipe. It's my stepdad's favorite.
We also do cukes in a sauce made from equal parts low-fat mayo, vinegar (cider or white) and sugar. Salt and pepper to taste. Also very good!
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