From Cleo Coyle: Ever wonder where the phrase "cool as a cucumber" came from? The inside of a cucumber is 20 degrees cooler than the outside. Too bad we can't claim the same advantage on a sweltering hot summer day. Marc and I do the next best thing. We eat cold, crunchy cucumbers all summer long.
The B vitamins in cukes make them a great pick-me-up food. They're also wonderfully hydrating. And staying properly hydrated is a real health concern these days, not only in summer but all year round.
As for today's recipe, below you'll find one of our favorite ways for putting cucumbers on the table...
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Cleo Coyle writes two bestselling mystery series with her husband. To learn more, click here. |
☕ A Recipe Note from Cleo
If you like buttermilk ranch dressing but never have buttermilk on hand and don't want to use bottled dressing, try this super-fast creamy, cool, and crunchy salad. It pairs beautifully with grilled meats and fish, making it a fantastic salad for summer cookouts. Even better, you can whip it up in almost no time all.
If you like buttermilk ranch dressing but never have buttermilk on hand and don't want to use bottled dressing, try this super-fast creamy, cool, and crunchy salad. It pairs beautifully with grilled meats and fish, making it a fantastic salad for summer cookouts. Even better, you can whip it up in almost no time all.
May you eat with joy and in good health!
~ Cleo
~ Cleo
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Cleo's Cool & Creamy
Cucumber Salad
Yield: About 4 servings
2 medium to large chilled cucumbers
1 small red onion (or 1/2 medium to large red onion)
3 (or so) tablespoons cold sour cream (*see my note below)
Fresh dill
Salt and pepper (to your taste)
*Note from Cleo: You can substitute crema Mexicana or creme fraiche for this recipe, but do not use yogurt, which is too tangy. The sour cream provides a sweeter, creamier flavor that (combined with the dill) mimics a lovely buttermilk ranch dressing. I hope you enjoy it!
Directions: You can either peel the skin from the cucumbers or keep the skins on for extra fiber and nutrition. (See a great use for cucumber skin in my tips below.) Cut the cucumbers into thin slices. Cut the red onion into thin slices. Toss both well with sour cream and the fresh dill. Salt and pepper to taste. White pepper (used sparingly) makes a pretty presentation. Garnish with a bit more fresh dill.
CLEO'S COOL CUCUMBER TIPS!
* SUNBURN SOOTHER: Use the skin of a cucumber to soothe your sunburn or skin irritations, the same way you would use aloe for sunburn.
* EASY, SOOTHING SPA TREATMENT: Place a slice over each eye. The cool feel of it is incredibly soothing, the scent is lovely, and the anti-inflammatory properties help reduce puffiness.
* HANGOVER CURE: Because cucumbers have B vitamins and electrolytes, they can restore the nutrients you need during sleep. So if you've had a few too many cocktails, eat cucumbers before going to bed. By morning, the intensity of any hangover headache will be reduced.
Mr. Fellows appreciates
the Hangover Cure.
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* HEALTH BENEFITS: The fiber in cucumbers helps us eliminate toxins from our bodies. Cucumbers relieve bad breath and may help fight some forms of cancer, promote joint health, and reduce cholesterol. The potassium and magnesium in cukes help regulate blood pressure. The cucumber also has been found to be beneficial for preventing and treating kidney stones, and it's a great low-carb veg for diabetic patients, too.
Thanks for stopping by today.
May you...
May you...
Eat (and Read) with Joy!