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Friday, August 31, 2012

Cucumber Salad


After all those delicious pies I figured I'd better make something a little healthier.
Our dad came up with this recipe years ago and we have it all the time in the summer when the cucumbers are plentiful in the garden.
He said Sue and I could share the recipe with the rest of the world as long as we give him props.
So.... for the record.....our dad is a super genius and came up with this amazing, supercalifragilisticexpiali-delicious recipe.


Cucumber Salad

Ingredients
1 large cucumber
1 tsp coarse sea salt
1 Tbsp light sour cream
1 tsp finely chopped onion
1 tsp fresh dill, chopped
1 tsp vinegar
1/2 tsp sugar

Directions

Peel your cucumber - or you can leave the peel on if you want - slice cucumber into fairly thin slices. Place into a colander and sprinkle with coarse sea salt. Set on something to catch the water that drains off, and set aside.
Mix together sour cream, onion, dill, vinegar, and sugar. Cover and place in fridge.
Let cucumbers drain and dressing chill for at least an hour, up to 2 hours.
Before serving, rinse cucumbers under running water briefly. Pat dry with paper towel.
Toss dressing with cucumbers and serve.


So simple yet really tasty.
Of course my measurements are rough estimates as our dad doesn't really measure, rather does a bit of this and a bit of that. You don't have to use light sour cream, you can use full fat, but that will alter the nutritional value.
With the light sour cream the entire recipe is (according to Fitday):
Calories - 50
Fat - 1.7
Carbs - 7.9
Protein - 1

Awesome, yes?
An entire large cucumber with tasty dressing as a side dish is pretty filling, trust me.
I'm hoping it helps to counteract the 10 billion calories of pie I ate this week.

Hop over to Carole's Chatter for tons of great links!

98 comments:

  1. My grandmother made this all the time, she got it from a diabetic cookbook!

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    1. Yes so do my parents in Polish its called Miseria im sure its been around a long time

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    2. WE HAVE BEEN MAKING THIS HERE IN IOWA FOR MANY YEARS, IT NEVER GETS OLD EVEN IN THE WINTER MONTHS IF U CAN FIND FRESH CUKES.
      LOVE IT!!

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    3. Made this on a camping trip but had to substitute some ingredients.. Added green pepper, and instead of sour cream used 1/2 n 1/2 balsamic vinegrette and rice wine vinegar. OMG it was gone in less than an hour (and I made it in bulk, I used 15 cucumbers!)

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    4. My Mother made this a lot ...only way I eat cucumbers

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    5. My mother is from Europe, and has been making this forever!!! It even replaces what in America we call "salad" Love it!!

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    6. Made this tonight. Was great!

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    7. Sounds heavenly

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    8. Cucumbers grow well in Central & Eastern Europe, and folks there make this all the time. Is the Dad Polish or of other Central European ancestry?

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  2. My family loves cucumbers, will try this tonight. Thanks!

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  3. This looks fabulous! Thank your dad for sharing it with us!

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  4. Wow, that looks really yummy! Definitely going to add this to my list of side dishes, especially in the summer when we have an abundance of cucumbers!

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  5. did I miss something why did I set aside the water that drained off cucumber

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    1. I see how you read that..lol...I meant for you to set aside the cucumbers in the bowl until the water drains off. You don't actually have to keep the drained water. :) Sorry for the confusion!

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    2. This is the same as the one my mom taught me to make..Husband and daughter love it.

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  6. Can't think of a better flavor combination then cumcumbers and dill--yum.

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  7. I don't get it. Isn't this just German Cucumber Salad?

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    1. I don't know. Is it? This is a recipe our dad came up with years ago. I'm assuming, because of your comment, that they are similar?

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    2. Why not just let a recipe be posted without adding an asshole comment. Who cares where it started... their dad made it for them and they're sharing the recipe. Delicious. End of story.

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    3. Why can't you just accept their recipe and keep your comments to yourself. That was RUDE!! I take it you were having a bad day.

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    4. This is a classic Swedish Dish and it is always a favorite.

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  8. I understand that salting the cucumbers and letting them rest helps draw out some of the moisture but wouldn't rinsing them afterwards just put the moisture back in and result in a watery dressing?

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    1. It doesn't seem to. After patting them dry they seem to stay fairly dry for the dressing. :)

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    2. I am willing to bet that the salt step is to draw some of the bitterness that cucumbers have out.

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    3. The salt step draws the water from the inside of the cuke. When you rise it, your getting the salt off the outside and getting the outside wet. When you pat them dry, you're getting the outside dry again. The rinsing doesn't put any of the moisture back inside the cukes.

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  9. How many servings does this make?

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    1. That really depends. I usually eat this for lunch so...one serving.

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    2. So the entire recipe is 50 calories?

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    3. I'll have to try it with splenda to cut the sugars!!

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  10. my grandmother made this for us just to snack on back in the 30's. sometimes I will make a recipe, put it in a jar, refigerate it and just grab a few slices when I want a light snack

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  11. Yum! I enjoyed this simple recipe. Also, I am just eating it for a quick lunch and further simplified by cutting back the salt and skipping the draining step. I suppose that would be an important step if you planning on making this ahead of time and keeping it.

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  12. Love this salad. It's actually a Polish cucumber salad called Mizeria ;)

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  13. Can't wait to try this. I love cucumbers.

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  14. My Mom was making this for my dad and us since the early 60's..she didnt add sugar though. When, I make it I use my mandolin and slice the cucumber paper thin. So good.

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  15. A few minor adjustments and this makes a pretty delicious dip for vegetables and espeically potatos.

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    1. Ooooh...I like the way you think :) I have to try it with potatoes!

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    2. Thanks. :-) This dip is a family favorite now. We use it on everything. I especially like it on salads made with baby greens.

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  16. If you are in a hurry just slice cucs, onions, add some vinegar to some sour cream with salt and pepper.

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  17. I substituted plain yogurt for the sour cream, to add a bit more protein. It still taste great and low in calories. Also used less sugar and salt.

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  18. What kind of onion?

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  19. What kind of vinegar and can I use regular salt instead of sea salt?

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    1. Just regular vinegar. I believe it is called white vinegar. And, you could try it with regular coarse salt if you like....I would imagine it would work. I haven't tried it with anything but coarse sea salt though so I'm not 100% positive. Let us know if you give it a try!

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    2. Thanks for the super quick reply! I'm planning on making this for the superbowl today and I'm really looking forward to it. Also, I've spent the last 2 hours reading your blog. Great work!

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  20. Hi, I made this recipe this evening with some freshly grown cucumbers and herbs of dill and also added chives from my garden.

    It was so easy and delicious, thank you.

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  21. I made this recipe today but just added a few slices of boiled potatos in addition to the cucumber to the recipe and instead of sour cream i use mayonnaise turned out just great :)

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  22. To turn this into a dip, would you dice the cucumber up really fine?? My Gramma & then my Momma both used to make this, ever since I can remember {& I'm 51 now!} ~ but Gramma passed years ago, & Momma had forgotten what she put in it...so I was glad to see this on Pinterest!! THANKS SO MUCH for posting!! Btw, we're not Polish, so I guess it is just a recipe that was around during the Depression, here in the U.S.A. ;-)

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    1. I've never made it as a dip - but I would imagine if you dice the cucumber really small that would work great :)

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    2. I make Greek Tzaziki sauce/dip, i shred the cukes in a food processor or the shred side of my grater. So I think that would work for you!

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  23. only 5o calories and it looks so yummy. This is a must have dish. What a great way to prepare cucumbers!

    I recently started cooking mostly healthy meals. I am trying to cut my calorie intake and this recipes looks pretty healthy and delicious. Preparing meals at home is definitely healthier and tastier.

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  24. My gram made this for us all the time (I am 40) She is german and called it whatever is German for "cucumber salad" lol

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  25. This recipe is perfect for gyros! I LOOOOVE gyros and what's a gyro without lots of creamy tzatziki sauce??!! Lamb's the best but I keep it healthier by ordering a lamb and chicken gyro with no tzatziki to go from the greek restaurant down the street or the one on the way home from work. Then I make my own sauce in less than 5 minutes- just mix together fat free sour cream (or light if you prefer). minced cucumber, and plenty of dill weed. Loading it on tastes like a guilty indulgence but its so good for you! I am definitely going to try the additional ingredients on this week's gyro.

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  26. Yes we have been doing this one for over 50 years! I like using different vinegars for a change. Also, you can stretch it out for a week by adding fresh cucumbers, that way fhey don't get soggy.

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  27. What kind of vinegar do you use?

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  28. This recipe has been passed down for generations in my Ukrainian family. (But you can still give your dad props for coming up with this:p)

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  29. My husband is from Poland and makes this all the time. It's called Miseria in Polish.

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  30. White vinegar and you can use regular salt.

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  31. We grew up eating something quite similar! Thanks for reminding me of a quick, easy and TASTY way to serve cukes!

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  32. Growing up my Mom made something similar only with MircleWhip (no sour cream, vinegar, sugar or dill). I make something similar with cukes, sweet yellow onion, diced sweet red pepers and Hendrickson's Original Sweet Vinegar and Olive Oil. The sour cream and dill sounds wonderful, so I'll have to try it.

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  33. Thank you for sharing,will make this tonight :)

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  34. A teaspoon of salt for one cucumber and the small amount of other ingredients sounds like way too much salt to me.


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    1. You don't have to use that much if you don't want to. That being said...you only use the salt to help drain the cucumbers. The salt is all rinsed off after they sit for abit. You can also just rinse more thoroughly.

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  35. Its really good if you use Greek yogurt instead of sour cream too.

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  36. This is a good light side dish to have with a meal. Since cukes have such a high water content it is important to not skip the salting of the cukes and letting them drain otherwise your dish will become very watery especially after sitting a bit. Doesn't matter what kind of salt really. Just salt and let sit for the water to drain from the cuke slices. Blot with a papertowel before aseembling with the other ingredients. You want the cuke slices as dry as possible. As with all recipes, there is some lead way with ingredients used. Since I did not have any white vinegar I used white wine vinegar since I had that on hand for some reason. Results still good. Just need the acid from the vinegar. Always start out with small amounts of seasoning like salt. Taste and adjust as needed. You can always add more. Relax and enjoy your dish. It is very good.

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  37. I lived in Hungary for 8 years; and they have Cuccumber Salad; Uborka Salata all the time. They added red paprika too....

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  38. I don't add onion, and usually use yoghurt instead of sour cream.
    You can add garlic (mashed or pressed)

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    1. Yes!! Garlic & paprika makes it Hungarian. Goes well w/ Goulash��

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  39. My German Grandmother used to make this but sometimes added tomato slices.

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  40. oh, thats sounds wonderfulwith tomatoes. thanks 4 sharing.

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    1. I make cucumber salads all the time and always use cherry tomatoes that I have cut in half.makes the salad so pretty. will have to try this recipe also.

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  41. My M.I.L showed ne this but she also uses miracle whip instead of s.c & I add fresh tomatoes!!! Yum

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  42. My gran was Swedish and made the same salad and she usually used mayo or miracle whip, with sliced onions, yummy.

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  43. I used to order this all the time in Germany and have missed it so! Thanks for sharing, now I can make it myself and reminisce!

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  44. Thank you for the recipe. Your dad is a smart one! :D

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  45. So many diversified recipes for a simple cucumber salad. My MIL who was Polish and my Grandmother was Hungarian, had similar recipes. I particularly loved my MIL's recipe because she used sliced cucumber, thin sliced red onions, sour cream, S&P. Of course. you had to salt and drain the cukes & pat dry so it wasn't runny, you needed the sour cream to keep it's consistency!! Excellent side dish, my family always asked for this when we had cukes!!

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  46. Haven't tried this yet but it sounds delish! I love Cucumbers. My Mother used to slice them and put them in a bowl with onion slices and put plain vinegar, water and salt & pepper on them. And then they went in the fridge. My little brother & I would run in the house and 'sneak' them back outside to eat. For my youngest daughter we would save the juice from store bought dill pickles and chunk up cucumbers and let them soak in it.

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    1. my mother made them this way also, she called them german style. after slicing she would salt them, let them draw off the liquid and them squeeze them to get the majority of moisture out. then toss them with onion, vinegar, s&p

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  47. I'm growing my own onions and cukes. I can't wait to try this ! Looks and sounds so yummy ! Props to your Dad ! Thanks !

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  48. Like many others I'vee been making something similar forever, but yours has some great additions and alternatives that I'll be sure to try. The dill will be a great addition! Thank you.

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  49. I have heard of this but never tried it, but going to this weekend. My mother would make a cucmber salad made with apple cider vinegar cut with water, about 1/2 to 1/2 salt, pepper, and sugar to taste. She always had a jar in the refrigerator during the summer and most any other time of year. She used apple cider vinegar because it has a much better taste than white vinegar. In her later years she used Equal to sweeten it with. We liked it better. Also can use any onions however red ones discolor.

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  50. My mother made this for years with plain yogurt instead of sour cream called it Raita and said it was an indian recipe. Love the idea of sour cream instead.

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  51. I still have a few cucumbers coming in now... hopefully in the next couple of days I can try his.. I have just been having regular cucumbers with onion, apple cider vinegar, water, salt & pepper all summer long for lunch... This sounds wonderful... Thanks Y'all

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  52. I, too, enjoyed eating something similar to this when I lived in Germany many years ago. Obviously it is popular where ever cumbers are found. Thanks for reminding me of the recipe.

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  53. How many servings per 50 calories?

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    1. 1. The entire recipe is 50 calories and the entire recipe is 1 serving.

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  54. my mom is from german parents and she made a similar recipe...love it. she also went one step further, she would squeeze the excess water from the cukes with her hands after they sat salted for a while.

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  55. I think each country has their own version of this - just like tortillas, crepes, naan - they are all awesome no matter how you tweak it. The best part is you can whip it up and eat the whole bowl!!

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  56. hi, this recipe is European and many of the European countries
    have a version of this recipe and yes my mom also squeezed the cucumbers
    and it was delicious and it is goes along well with snitzle , breaded veal cutlets
    I prefer using the white peel onions they give a great taste
    and white vinegar is the best for this recipe or even champagne vinegar works well too

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  57. Could you se Apple Cider Vinegar or Red wine vinegar for this reicipe>

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    1. Yes. You absolutely could - just keep in mind it will alter the taste of the original recipe a bit.

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  58. Is the sugar a necessity or could it just be skipped?

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    1. You can definitely skip the sugar if you want - I find it just helps cut the tartness a little. :)

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  59. Both of my grandparents and their parents (great grandparents) on both sides made this same cucumber salad documented in handwritten recipe books dated 1912 and 1923 here in the US, who knows how long before that. Both sides of the family came to the United States in 1846 from the areas of Alsace and Lorraine, France and Luxembourg, Luxembourg.

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    1. It's interesting how popular this salad is around the world. So many versions! I love it.

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