Cream Cucumber Salad
Of course it’s nearing the end of summer and I’m only getting out summer recipes now. But then any time is a good time for a super simple and refreshing recipe, like this cream cucumber salad.
I’ve seen similar recipes described as a German salad, but the same is made in Slovakia. It’s warm enough to grow cucumbers easily where I live, and this salad is one of my mother-in-law’s summer staples.
Some people make this salad with whipping cream, others make it with sour cream – both are delicious. The salad photographed was made with whipping cream, which is a little sweeter and much thinner than sour cream. Give both versions a try and see which you like better!
Sometimes people also put in garlic and/or dill, which is lovely but not necessary. Oh, and Slovaks often add a little sugar, but I just can’t bring myself to do so.
Cream Cucumber Salad
A very simple but tasty salad made in Slovakia with cucumbers and whipping cream or sour cream.
Ingredients
- 500 grams cucumbers
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons vinegar
- 1/3-1/2 cup whipping cream or sour cream (or buttermilk or kefir)
- garlic (optional)
- fresh dill (optional)
- pinch sugar (optional)
Instructions
-
Slice cucumbers very thinly, for example with a mandoline slicer. Combine all ingredients in a bowl, and mix. Because its easy like that.
The cucumbers will release a fair amount of water, thinning out the cream/sour cream.
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Serve cold for a refreshing salad!
Aug 17, 2017 @ 00:05:40
I love to make this salad just with sliced cucumbers, sea salt and acidko/kefir/zakysanka. Superdelicious!
Aug 17, 2017 @ 11:03:55
Oh, yes, of course, I never thought of it. Buttermilk or kefir would be lovely.
Aug 17, 2017 @ 06:57:02
This salad is like one I had at home growing up. I’d forgotten it until this email.
Yumm!! I shall try this one definitely!
Aug 17, 2017 @ 11:03:09
It’s funny how something so simple can be so evocative. Enjoy the salad!
Aug 17, 2017 @ 08:29:42
Summer this year we had, piping hot strudl recipe is more appropriate…18 degrees Celsius, rain…(the difference in Britain between summer and winter is that rain feels warmer- not even that happened, April showers more like)It is hard to picture it, after the heat in Sk. To avoid adding sugar to the recipe, use LAHODKOVA SMOTANA,much more balanced acidity… something between acidko (too sour for me)…and a completely bland whipping cream…Where has all the hols gone?
Aug 17, 2017 @ 11:05:19
Funny how you had such a cold summer, and I was baking in the heat here. At least it has cooled down a little – still hot but not dying hot. 🙂
Lahodkova smotana – is that the same as kysla smotana?
Aug 17, 2017 @ 17:05:01
Naomi, the difference is lahodkova smotana is in little plastic pots, so dense consistency, whereas kysla smotana is liquid and used to be sold in quiet a thick plastic pouches…but that could have al changed…
kysla smotana – liquid, like kefir
lahodkova smotana you can eat straight from a pot with bread roll. (quite miss that here…
Aug 21, 2017 @ 20:54:51
Creme fraiche isn’t quite as thick as lahodkova smotana but almost, have you tried that?
Aug 17, 2017 @ 18:54:39
Naomi, thanks for the recipe. Here’s a variation that’s a favorite at our house:
7 cups sliced (peeled if not organic) cucumbers 1 cup sliced onions
2-4 tablespoons sugar (or less to taste) 1 cup vinegar 2 tablespoons kosher salt
(1 teaspoon celery seed, opt.)
fresh dill weed to taste
Mix ALL ingredients. Refrigerate for at least an hour. Using tongs, I pick out the amount I want and drain in a sieve. After placing them in a bowl, I stir in sour cream to taste. What I particularly like about this recipe is that I can make it up ahead of time (minus the sour cream). Keep refrigerated to have them available for up to a week or longer. Saves preparation time when I want cream cucumber salad, for just two of us or for a crowd.
After reading all the variations, I will try one of them when I make them later today. Thank you!
Aug 21, 2017 @ 20:52:50
Thanks for the tip! Having salad made in advance is a great idea. Another friend told me she makes the salad as you make it, but never adds any dairy. My oldest daughter would love this recipe – all the raw onions.
Aug 21, 2017 @ 22:32:32
Oh, yes! The mixed and refrigerated cucumber and onion slices are great, even without the dairy. Oh, the joy of summer recipes!