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

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