Spicy Smashed Cucumbers With Lime, Honey and Croutons Recipe (2024)

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lbswink

I thought this was the best salad I have tried in quite a while. Complex and delicious. Also, in the midst of a very hot summer, this was the perfect antidote.

Karen

Didn't smash the cakes -- used a mandoline to get even, thin slices. Don't be put off by the description of a very acidic and salty dressing -- the dressing has a nice round flavor. Couldn't find sesame breadsticks; like other readers, I used sesame crackers. This recipe is a keeper.

Mark R

Not sure why all the fuss about smashed cucumbers. I tried this, and it was ok, but that's it. And it would have been just as good if the cucumbers were simply cut up and not smashed (by the way, what exactly does "smash down lightly" even mean?). I agree too with Nancy's comments, the spicy honey was not all that spicy (easy to fix) and the croutons were a really nice touch.

PEllen

Without the honey sauce and croutons, this is very much like farmer's chop suey.

Rice wine vinegar adds unexpected sweetness. Not sure I like that note.

I have some Indian Lime Relish in the fridge. That mixed into the yogurt is close, good and a bit more spicy

Sesame breadsticks not available, nothing substituted.

Good with leftover lamb roast.

Gvie

Added farro, used fresh bread croutons, and toasted sesame seeds. Great combination of texture and flavors!

Linda

We really enjoyed this dish, but like the other "Smashed Cucumber" recipes in this series, half of the sauce was more than enough for 2 lbs. of cucumbers.

Since we didn't have breadsticks, I crushed some crackers which were going stale and toasted those instead.

We felt the crackers added needed crunch, and the spicy honey added a complexity of flavor which one doesn't often find in a cucumber salad.

Nancy

Good, but for me, not worth the effort. Spicy honey needs more spice, the sesame breadstick croutons were a nice touch.

AB

The flavors of this are wonderful-- bright and rich. It would taste great with sliced cucumbers, but the smashing does really do A Tasty Thing. The cucumbers feel meaty, somehow, and more crisp.If you use Persian cucs, half the dressing will be plenty.Double the croutons.Heat the honey in the microwave for 8-10 seconds so it's easier to blend with your hot sauce.And try that thing about adding brown rice (mentioned in the introduction). I'm hooked. So savory, bright, unique.

Bill H

Cucumbers in herbed yogurt sauce is always a fine side, and this version has a good combination of salty, sweet, tangy, and spicy. With the breadsticks it's reminiscent of a cucumber sandwich. It's tasty, but I didn't find it sufficiently rewarding for the amount of time and effort required.

Penny

Outstanding. Initial thought was, yum tzatziki, but not at all. Addictive combo of flavors. Scallions and the last minute drizzle of spicy honey (Trader Joe’s Hot Honey) are essential. Omitted the bread. Will be making again and again with the breadsticks, and then, brown rice as served at the restaurant. THIS, is why I gladly pay for a subscription.

LAZ

Very good, but crushing the cucumbers only serves to release the seeds for those who can’t stand cucumber seeds. If you don’t mind the seeds, just slice the cukes.

Nickie

Yummy in my tummy!I didn't follow exactly (I know, I know. I'm horrible) but mostly due to not having something on hand.Subbed lemon for lime and toasted slices of sour dough bread that had been brushed with olive oil and rubbed with a garlic clove cut in half. Was a little nervous that the lemon wouldn't work the same as lime, but it was tasty, regardless. Next time, I'll try with lime to see how much better it might be as written.Added tomato and feta crumbles because I had them to use.

BFDCooks

I felt like smashing the cucumbers ruined this for me -- it made them a bit soggy after sitting. Loved the sauce though so the next day I just put this over chopped cucumbers with no croutons and was a happier camper.

Eric

When I told my partner we were having cucumber salad for dinner I was met with a sigh but was soon scarfing it down with glee and fighting to sop up the dressing with pieces of bread. The Hot honey really puts it over the top. Only had a country loaf, so I toasted up croutons with sesame seeds and a dash of sesame oil. Added a pinch of sumac to the dressing and served with additional rocket to bulk it up. I honestly cannot wait to make it again. A perfect addition to the summer table!

Sarah B.

This salad should always be top-of-search for cucumbers: it is excellent. Perfectly tangy, crispy crunchy, refreshing. Even eaten straight from the fridge a day later. I often sub other hard crackers--sourdough or taralli--for the sesame breadsticks, and they all produce delicious results.

Pat

This was delicious more or less as is and a good way to use a plethora of garden cukes. My tweak was fresh garlic toasted with the bread. The remaining spicy honey is a tasty sandwich condiment.

Cookie

Delicious dressing, lime is the secret. Didn’t use honey hot sauce, added chickpeas, tomatoes to the salad. Smash, cut, doesn’t matter.

Sheila

For those inclined to a simpler preparation: Instead of making croutons, I drizzled the dressed cucumbers with a mixture of half honey half srirracha. This is a nice "bright" cucumber salad and I will make again - very nice on a hot summer evening.

Rebecca

Not sure about this recipe. Sounds yummy, but yoghurt has to be homemade, never reduced fat marketed. Honey also iffy. Would add a little tomato, maybe a bit of Parmesan , even thinking a surprise piece of pineapple. Good health!

Nancy P.

My lime was not fresh enough to zest (so sue me), but I found that a thawed cube of Dorot crushed garlic (you could use a fresh clove too) was a great add to the dressing.

Karen

Didn't smash the cakes -- used a mandoline to get even, thin slices. Don't be put off by the description of a very acidic and salty dressing -- the dressing has a nice round flavor. Couldn't find sesame breadsticks; like other readers, I used sesame crackers. This recipe is a keeper.

Judy

Lovely dressing.

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Spicy Smashed Cucumbers With Lime, Honey and Croutons Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What does smashing a cucumber do? ›

Smashing the cucumber disrupts its internal structure in a wild, haphazard way, leaving some areas completely intact and crisp, while reducing other areas to tender rubble. It's this latter part that makes the smashed cucumbers particularly tasty, as it absorbs the flavor of the vinegar and the garlic.

How to mash up cucumber? ›

Instructions
  1. Bash the cucumbers until they split open on the sides (see video) using something heavy like the smooth side of a meat mallet, rolling pin, pestle or even a can.
  2. Cut into 2.5cm/1" chunks then place in a bowl.
  3. Sprinkle with salt, toss, leave for 20 minutes.
  4. Drain excess liquid in the bowl.
Nov 14, 2019

What can you do with leftover cucumbers? ›

7 Different Ways to Eat Up Extra Cucumbers
  1. Find our Pickled Cucumbers recipe here. ...
  2. Tropical Cucumber Smoothie with Kale.
  3. Hydrating Cucumber Smoothie with Mango.
  4. Cucumber Mojito Mocktail.
  5. Mixed Berry & Cucumber Bellini Mocktail.
  6. Cucumber Melon Sangria Mocktail.
  7. Lemon Cucumber Virgin Cooler.
Sep 14, 2020

Can cucumbers be cooked? ›

Thinly sliced and cooked in a hot skillet or wok, cucumbers still maintain some crunch and freshness even when cooked, like in our Sautéed Cucumbers With Green Herbs recipe. Or give sliced cucumbers a quick stir fry with ground beef or sliced steak, it's a perfect pairing.

Why should you crush a cucumber before you eat it? ›

By crushing our cucumber before we cut it, we produce flavors that un-smashed cukes can't. When you crush the cells in a vegetable, as opposed to cutting cleanly through them, certain compounds get mixed together, which can result in a significantly different flavor.

Why do cucumbers make me feel so good? ›

Cucumbers are high in water and promote hydration. Staying hydrated can improve stool consistency, prevent constipation, and help maintain regularity. Moreover, cucumbers contain fiber, which helps regulate bowel movements.

Why do you soak cucumbers in lime? ›

Lime is a source of calcium. Calcium improves pickle firmness. Food-grade lime may be used as a lime-water solution for soaking fresh cucumbers 12 to 24 hours before pickling them. Excess lime absorbed by the cucumbers must be removed to make safe pickles.

How do you spice up raw cucumbers? ›

While your cucumbers are draining you can prepare the simple marinade. Heat up rice vinegar, sugar, and red pepper flakes in a pan and after it's reduced add some minced red onion. Honestly, you can leave out the pepper flakes if you don't want any heat.

What can you put on cucumbers to make them taste good? ›

Salt – It draws moisture out of the cucumbers, giving them a crisp, pickle-like texture. It also makes the flavors in this salad pop! Fresh dill and chives – Dill is a classic ingredient in a cucumber onion salad, as its sour flavor pairs perfectly with the sweet and tangy vinegar dressing.

Do cucumbers last longer in the fridge or on the counter? ›

Even though cucumbers are prone to chilling injury, the fridge is still the best place to store them. At room temperature, cucumbers will only last for about two days. So, what's the solution? Store cucumbers in the warmest part of the fridge — towards the front, furthest from the cooling elements.

What not to store cucumbers with? ›

Tips for Storing Cucumbers:

Ensure that the cucumbers are stored away from ethylene-producing fruits like tomatoes, apples, and bananas. Ethylene can cause cucumbers to ripen and spoil more quickly. Avoid placing cucumbers near foods with strong odors as they absorb odors easily.

Can dogs have cucumbers? ›

Can Dogs Have Cucumbers? Cucumbers are perfectly safe for dogs to eat, and offer a low-calorie, crunchy snack that many dogs love. Cucumbers only contain about 8 calories per one-half cup of slices, compared to the 40 calories in a single medium dog biscuit. Cucumbers are also very low in sodium and fat-free.

Why should you smash cucumbers? ›

Smashing gives you varied textures with desirable nooks and crannies. Larger pieces will be crunchy. Mushed bits of the gel-like cucumber insides will meld with the dressing (in pai huang gua, that means soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, and garlic) and thicken for better coating and more pickle-like flavor.

Can cucumber reduce belly fat? ›

A: Cucumbers alone cannot directly burn belly fat. To reduce belly fat, you must focus on making healthy dietary choices, exercising regularly, and making lifestyle changes. So while cucumbers can help with weight loss, they will not specifically target belly fat.

What do cooked cucumbers taste like? ›

The flavor of cooked cucumbers is best described as that of raw cucumbers … except, well, cooked. They're still mild and slightly sweet, but the biggest difference between the two is texture (no surprise). Cooking cucumbers will minimize their trademark crunch, but we promise that's not a bad thing.

Why hit cucumber? ›

Smashing gives you varied textures with desirable nooks and crannies. Larger pieces will be crunchy. Mushed bits of the gel-like cucumber insides will meld with the dressing (in pai huang gua, that means soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, and garlic) and thicken for better coating and more pickle-like flavor.

Do cucumber slices actually work? ›

The cooling effect of the cucumber can reduce swelling and puffiness while stimulating blood flow to the skin,” says board-certified dermatologist Deanne Robinson, MD, FAAD. “Cucumbers are also high in water content, making them very hydrating to the skin.

Why beat cucumbers? ›

First, we're damaging the cell walls, and that makes the cucumber crisper. Also, it gives the cucumber more craggy edges that help hold the dressing better. But smashing it is not where it ends; we actually go in and break the cucumbers more with our hands. After that, a little salting happens.

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