As Cool AS A Cucumber

Cucumbers are quintessentially a summer food; When I think of cucumbers I am reminded of an era gone by, cricket teas with wafer thin cucumber sandwiches; Ladies in pastel lace trimmed dresses sitting under artfully placed parasol sipping iced Pimms, to the sounds of howzat!

Health & Beauty benefits of cucumbers.
Cucumbers are really low in calories, only 15 per 100 grams, but they are high in potassium 100 g of cucumber provides 147 mg of potassium but only 2 mg of sodium. Potassium is a heart friendly electrolyte helps bring a reduction in total blood pressure and heart rates by countering effects of sodium, they are also mildly diuretic. They also contain vitamin K which is attributed to fighting Alzheimer's disease patients by limiting neuronal damage in their brain.Vitamin-K has been found to have a potential role in bone strength by promoting osteotrophic (bone mass building) activity.

First Aid
Give teething babies and toddlers a slice of cucumber to cool down their gums.
If you have tired eyes a slice or two of cucumber is a well tried and tested way to reduce swelling around your eyes. Just cut and leave slices on your closed eyes for 10-15 minutes to revive them.

My paternal grandmother possessed knife skills that would have made Gordon Ramsey proud! I remember watching her pre buttering then slicing almost transparent slices of whole meal (Hovis) and freshly baked white bread, then translucent slices of cucumber to make bite size checkerboard cucumber and watercress sandwiches for afternoon tea.
She also made the most delicious Cucumber salad below is her recipe.

Hungarian Cucumber Salad

Serves 6-8

5-6 small cucumbers peeled
1 red onion peeled and finely sliced
3 cloves garlic peeled and chopped
1 cup finely chopped fresh dill
2 teaspoons of brown sugar dissolved in 1 table spoon boiling water
1/2 teaspoon sea salt
1/2 tea spoon black pepper
2 desert spoons good quality organic vegetable oil NOT olive
The juice of half a lemon
4 desert spoons cider apple of light vinegar.

In a jar place the sugar water, oil lemon juice salt pepper vinegar and half the garlic . place on a lid shake well.

In a dish with a lid , place the rest of the garlic and half the onion half the dill,
thinly slice the cucumber, add to the dish add the remaining garlic onion and dill , cover with the dressing mix well. cover and place in the fridge for at least 4-5 hours. serve chilled.

This is delightful with fish, salmon, chicken .
Cucumber is great with mint , dill, garlic onion ,thrown together in salads, watch out for Cucumber soup, and Cucumber dip recipe's.

I wish you a wonderful long and lazy summer, filled with relaxing days with friends.

Comments

Not Schmaltz At All ( healthy chopped liver)

Chopped liver often mocked, reproduced and joked about, as traditionally Jewish as chicken soup. Chopped liver can be made with any type pf liver but personally I prefer the traditional favorite of chicken livers. Chopped liver was traditionally fried in schmaltz (chicken fat ) which over the years has given way to oil, my no fry no oil version tastes just as good but weight watchers can eat with guilt. Nutritional Value Liver is a nutrient-rich food and the ingredients in the chopped liver recipe add more nutrients to the mix. Liver is high in vitamin A, which is dangerous to unborn babies so pregnant mothers should avoid liver in any form.It also contains vitamin C choline, betaine, of vitamin B-12, retinal and vitamin E also of vitamins B-6, folate, niacin, pantothenic acid, riboflavin and thiamin in lesser amounts It also contains the following minerals Its high in i ron, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, copper, manganese selenium . If eaten frequently,

Its So Easy Being Green, ( or Yellow ) Sorry Kermit!

Zucchini or Courgette if you are European , are a member of the squash family are so versatile , easy to digest, they are available all year round . Health Values Zucchini’s are low in Saturated Fat and Sodium, and very low in Cholesterol. It is also a good source of Protein, Vitamin A, Thiamin, Niacin, Phosphorus and Copper, and a very good source of Dietary Fiber, Vitamin C, Vitamin K, Riboflavin, Vitamin B6, Folate, Magnesium, Potassium and Manganese. the ideal food for the weight conscious . Versatile Zucchini can be steamed, well seasoned , drizzled with a touch of good quality olive oil and served, they can be eaten raw, baked, fried , griddled. They pair up well with mushrooms, tomatoes, leeks and onions, they are wonderful in quiches , pashdididas. cooked on the griddle, added to soup , as a base of ratatouille. they can be stuffed, sauteed, baked stir fried to name a few ways of cooking them. added to kugels, latkes, and chocolate cake for moisture In fac

Perfect Hot Salt Beef Sandwich When I was twenty I was lucky enough to work a stall in the world famous Petticoat Lane market on Sunday mornings, Back in the day the market was mainly Jewish market traders we were part of the very special history of the East End of London, The excitement, hustle and bustle, comradeship between the stall holders was second to none, we worked all weathers , and shared each other’s joys and sorrows. but the icing on the cake was visiting Blooms on Whitechapel Road after trading had finished for a succulent hot salt beef sandwich, nothing can erase these memories from my mind even though its over half a century ago. When Danny Brummer “Z"L” was running the Deli in Hove Street, I use to cook with him, back in the day we use to pickle our own beef but nowadays you can buy it ready pickled from Gilberts, this is the recipe we used to serve hot salt beef sandwiches to the Brighton and Hove Jewish community 1.5 kilos ready pickle

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