#3I: Cucumber for All Ocassions Part 1

I got this cucumber picture from a site that sells -
you guessed it right! Cucumbers!

Before, I introduced you to the world of Buttered Vegetables. Now I want you to meet my friend the cucumber. This will be a series on how this simple and cool vegetable can make your dry days a bit more refreshing. Aside from the fact that this is packed with vitamin C, adding this to the menu will ensure that you will have your serving of vegetables and fiber for the meal. All of these recipes will more or less serve four people, depending on how herbivorous they are, haha! ;-)



Pinoy Ensaladang Pipino (Cucumber Salad Pinoy-Style)
Sosy Level: 1
Pawis level: 1


1/8 cup cane vinegar
1/8 cup water
1 1/2 tsp salt
a generous amount of freshly ground pepper
1 1/2 tbsp sugar
2 medium cucumbers, peeled decoratively (to make it look striped)


1. Mix all ingredients in a bowl until the sugar dissolves. All of these are approximations and you may adjust the seasoning according to your taste.

Awww, look at that!
Pepeton Grill  even decorated their cucumbers!
Now that's love. :-D

2. Slice the cucumber in half lengthwise. Then slice them thinly to make half-moon pieces.
3. Drop cucumber in the vinegar mixture. Serve with fried or grilled meats. 


Variation:
You may add 2 chopped tomatoes to this dish for a little more fruity chunkiness.

Cucumber Sticks with Dips

Pawis Level: 1
Sosy level: 2

This is a no-brainer but this idea was put in my map after I tasted it from Jill Villanueva-Palarca. She served it with yummy dips which I will share to you now. This is good as a side for parties or as a snack.

2 medium cucumbers, peeled, seeded, and sliced into 3-inch sticks 

A. Cheese Dip

1/2 cup of cheese spread (like Chizwhiz or the likes)

1/2 cup of milk (dissolved powdered milk will do)

a dash of nutmeg (optional)

a dash of chilli powder or cayenne powder (if you want it spicy)

Mix all ingredients together until smooth.

B. Liver Spread Dip

1/2 cup of all-purpose cream, chilled

1 small can of liver spread or potted meat

pepper to taste

Whip the cream until fairly stiff. Then mash the liver spread into the cream until smooth.

Serve the dips with the cucumbers placed in a short tumbler, like pencils in a mug. It saves space compared to placing it on a plate and looks clever too! 

1. Place the cucumbers in a tumbler instead of the plate to make them stand up. It's a more clever presentation. Space-saving, too!

2. Mix the Cheese dip ingredients together until smooth.