ISO: ISO any ideas on what to do with a bumper crop of cucumbers besides pickling them....

[heather_in_sf]

Here's my fav summer cocktail with cucumber! REC: The Bikinitini

Bikinitini

As far as drinks go, this is practically a vitamin- apply directly to the thighs for a slim new you, or serve as a lean party drink (save those extra cucumber sticks for a morning after, under-eye therapy). This crisp, sea green elixir is the perfect poolside drink-dibs on the diving board!!! Pour a round, then get the coven together for a special burning of the Sports Illustrated Swimsuit issue.

Garnish
1 small cucumber, for cucumber sticks

4 ounces vodka
2 ounces Triple Sec
2 ounces fresh lemon juice
1 cup peeled, seeded, and cubed cucumber
4 fresh mint leaves (optional)
2 cups cracked ice

1. To prepare the garnish, cut the cucumber in half lengthwise. Trim off the ends; scoop out and discard the seeds. Cut the halves into quarters, then into eighths, creating sticks about three inches long. One cucumber yeilds about 12 sticks.

2. In a blender, combine all of the ingredients except the cucumber sticks. Blend until thick and slushy, with no ice chips remaining.

3. Divide the mixture among four 6-ounce cocktail glasses. Garnish each drink with a cucumber stick.


Serves 4 (well, maybe 2! H)
From Highballs and High Heels: A Girl's Guide to Cocktails

 

[angak]

The description is a hoot! Sounds cool as a cucumber.

 

[gayle-mo]

Joe, besides the above great recipes..... I've been making

cucumbers and onions marinated in a simple cole slaw dressing. It's my DH's favorite way and he can eat a LOT! I use sweet red onion in it.

Can add some sour cream if desired by DH likes it without better.

g

 

[joe]

Thanks, Gayle. What is your slaw dressing?

 

[gayle-mo]

Joe....

Sorry, been off the pc a couple of days.

What I use on cucumbers is mayo or miracle whip, vinegar, sugar (enough to make somewhat sweet) a dollop of mustard,a little milk and salt and pepper.

I add the milk after blending the other ingredients and making sure it's sweet enough. Barely thin with milk. I make it thick and don't brine the cukes. The cuke juices thin it down. I get so many requests for these cucumbers.

This recipe is better made at least 3-4 hours ahead or the night before.

Red onion rocks in this! Not very gourmet but oh, so wonderful!

I made about 2 gallons of this salad for a funeral potluck and they were licking the bowl. ha

 

[gayle-mo]

PS My dh likes this so much he makes sandwiches of it!

It's great on chicken or tuna salad sandwiches, too!

 

[pat-nocal]

Rec: Mom's Potato Salad. Gayle, your dressing sounds alot.....

like the dressing my mom used on potato salad. Forty plus years ago, growing up in Ohio, my mom made this allll the time. It's still one of my favorite potato salads, I think it's the dressing that makes it so good. Sometimes I make a batch of the dressing for pasta salad too. Will have to try it your way on cucumbers.

Mom’s Potato Salad

6 large potatoes (about 4 cups), cooked, skinned and cubed
1 dozen eggs, hard-boiled and sliced
1 lb. bacon, fried and crumbled (use less if desired)
2 medium onions, diced
1-1/2 cups celery, diced
sweet pickles to taste (about 1/2 cup), chopped
1-1/2 tsp salt

Combine all ingredients with the following dressing. Then chill several hours before serving, to allow flavors to blend.

1 pint mayonnaise (2 cups)
4-5 tbsp prepared mustard (like French’s)
1/4 cup milk
2 tbsp vinegar
1/4 to 1/3 cup sugar to suit your taste
1 tsp (or more) juice from sweet pickles

 

[joe]

Thanks, Gayle, I will give this a try.

 

[angak]

this cucumber avocado soup is over on EPI. Has potential.

http://www.epicurious.com/cooking/healthy/recipes/recipes/103659

 

[gayle-mo]

Pat - nice walk down memory lane, huh?

I've never used this on potato salad but it might be worth a try. Thanks!

It's 102 degrees here again today but by Sat is supposed to be 87! We'll think winter is here! ha

Blessings

 

[gayle-mo]

You bet, Joe!

The thinner and less seeded cukes are by far superior if you can find them. We grow our own and if they get too big I quarter them lengthwise, scrape the seeds then slant cut them.

This reminds me, I need to make DH some more. He grows cukes just so I will keep these made up for him. ha We have so many this year that I'm giving them away by the bagsfull. I need to get busy and make some pickles, don't I?!

 

[dawnnys]

Just heard this today - a local spa slices them and...

puts them in ice water, similar to how you would add lemon slices to water for a refreshing summer drink.

Doesn't sound too great to me, but people love it. I've never tried it.