Friday 10 / January / 2025
COTTAGE CHEESE CUCUMBER SALAD
Dissolve 1 (85g) packet lime jello in 1 cup boiling water. Add 2 tablespoons lemon juice. Chill until partially set. Beat until light and fluffy. Fold 1 cup cream style cottage cheese and 1 cup very finely chopped cucumbers into jello. Pour into mould. Chill. Unmould by dipping into hot water for 10-20 seconds, then unmould onto inverted dish.
CUCUMBER AND TOMATO SOUP
In a large saucepan, take a little olive oil and heat to medium. Add 2 medium onions, diced and fry until translucent. Add 3 cloves garlic, minced, 1/4 cup chopped fresh mint and 1/4 cup chopped fresh basil and sauté for 1 minute whilst mixing. Now place 2kg ripe tomatoes, roughly diced, 2 large cucumbers, peeled and diced roughly, 1 tablespoon sugar and 1/2 glass verjuice into pan along with a little salt and pepper. Turn heat to a gentle simmer, stirring often, until tomato and cucumber has become very soft. This could take an hour or more. Water or vegetable stock can be added if pan becomes a little dry but if it is cooked very slowly, this should not be an issue. When tomato and cucumber have broken down to nearly a pulp, taste for seasoning, adjust and remove from heat. Pass through a wire strainer with the aid of the back of a spoon. When serving, cream or milk may be added according to taste. You can also add a small grating of Parmesan cheese and a sprinkle of parsley.
BAKED TUNA LOAF WITH CUCUMBER SAUCE
Heat oven to 175C degrees. Coat a loaf pan with oil lightly. Flake 2 (200g) cans tuna packed in water, drained; add 3/4 cup finely chopped celery, 3/4 cup Quaker oats, uncooked, 1/2 cup skim milk, 1 egg, 1/8 teaspoon pepper and mix well. Pat into prepared pan. Bake for 40 minutes; let stand 5 minutes before slicing. To make cucumber sauce you will need a small bowl, combine 1 cup plain yoghurt, 1/2 medium cucumber, finely chopped, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh dill or 1 teaspoon dried dill weed, 1 teaspoon minced onion; mix well. Chill. You will get 1 1/3 cups. Serve warm or cold with cucumber sauce.
CHILLED SWEET AND SOUR CUCUMBERS
Peel 2 medium cucumbers and cut the cucumber into halves. With teaspoon, scrape out seeds. Cut in slices. In a glass bowl, combine 1 teaspoon soy sauce, 1 tablespoon apple cider vinegar, 1 tablespoon sugar, 2 teaspoons sesame seed oil, 1/2 teaspoon Tabasco, and 1/2 teaspoon salt. Mix well; add to cucumbers and mix well with wooden spoon. Chill before serving.
CHICKEN WITH CUCUMBER SAUCE
Arrange 500g cucumbers peeled and sliced on paper towel. Sprinkle with salt. Let stand 20 minutes, pat dry. In large frying pan, melt 2 tablespoons butter. Add 900g chicken breast or chicken thighs, skin removed and cook 2 or 3 minutes on each side. Do not brown. Add 3/4 cup chicken broth. Cover and simmer 10 minutes until tender. In medium size saucepan, melt 2 tablespoons butter and 1 garlic clove, crushed, 1 large onion, finely chopped and cook until soft, about 3 minutes. Add cucumber and 2 tablespoons chopped fresh chives, cook about 2 minutes until cucumbers are crisp tender. Add 1/2 cup heavy cream, cook until sauce reduces and thickens about 5 minutes. Season with pepper. Serve over chicken. —[email protected]
