Cucumber, Peanut and Mint Salad
This refreshing salad by Chef Brandon Frohn features in season cucumbers, a hint of mint, crushed peanuts, rice vinegar and a drizzle of honey“Cucumbers are a garden staple for ...
"This refreshing dish can be made with any cucumbers, but a mix is ideal. Persian cucumbers are my favorite. Although their name implies import, they are cultivated across the world, and I see them at many local grocery stores and farmers markets. They are thin-skinned and lack almost all bitterness—I never peel or seed them. They are also relatively small and narrow, and they contain less water than other varieties, making them ideal for just about any preparation. Don’t dress them more than 20 minutes before serving—they go from crisp to soggy when held too long." -- Michelle McKenzie
Ingredients
SERVINGS: 4-6 Serving(s)
- 1 cup creme fraiche
- 2 pounds cucumbers, ideally a mix of varietals such as Persian, lemon, painted serpent, and Mexican sour gherkin
- fine sea salt
- 2 trimmed green onions, white and light-green parts, thinly sliced
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon Banyuls vinegar or other red wine vinegar
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 to 4 tablespoons crispy capers
- 1/4 cup torn or coarsely chopped fresh dill
- pinch dill pollen, optional
- flaky sea salt, to serve
Preparation
1. Spoon crème fraîche into a shallow pool on base of a serving platter (or divide among salad plates or shallow bowls). Halve cucumbers lengthwise and slice into 1/2-inch pieces. If you have found Mexican sour gherkins, keep the smallest ones whole and halve the others lengthwise.
2. Place all cucumbers in large bowl and season generously with fine sea salt. Add onions, lemon juice, Banyuls, and olive oil; toss to coat. Taste and adjust seasoning.
3. Add cucumbers to top of crème fraîche, letting the cucumbers tumble from your hands into a fairly even but haphazard layer. Drizzle some remaining vinaigrette all over. Sprinkle with capers and dill; dust with the dill pollen (if using) and flaky sea salt. Serve immediately.
About this recipe
From The Modern Larder: from anchovies to yuzu, a guide to artful and attainable home cooking by Michelle McKenzie. Photography by Rick Poon.
Related Stories & Recipes
Sweet Cucumber Peach Basil Salad
Two medium peaches away from a tasty summer salad. Recipe from The Peach Truck Cookbook.
Cucumber Carbonara
Cooking with cucumbers may seem unusual, but the freshness of the cucumber pairs beautifully with smoky bacon and the richness of the carbonara sauce.
