Something crazy has happened. I am sharing a recipe that isn’t baked. At all. Or even sweet. It is however what I’ve been craving for the last two weeks. So much so that I haven’t been able to think of anything else but this light and summery salad that is oh so delicious.
Andy and I ordered my Dad’s version of this a couple weeks ago when we were visiting Milwaukee and eating at his Middle Eastern restaurant Sababa. We ordered kabobs and a variety of small plates including this salad. Well, unfortunately for Andy I ate the entire plate. And then I ordered another one and had all that too. (And none of the other food we’d ordered.)
My Dad has been making a version of this salad for us as long as I can remember, but the version I had last week was particularly good. It’s fresh, full of flavor and really refreshing. I love it all on its own, but it’s also delicious on the side of say Chicken Kebob or a spicy Lamb Burger.
This is the first of what will be weekly savory posts (assuming I still crave them.) I can’t possibly blog all about desserts when so many other delicious things have been happening in my kitchen. I hope you’re cool (as a cucumber,) with that. ;)
- 5 Persian cucumbers, quartered and sliced
- 1 cup plain yogurt
- ¼ cup sour cream
- 1 small clove garlic, minced
- 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
- 1 tablespoon dried mint
- salt and pepper to taste
- In a medium-sized bowl, combine all ingredients and toss to combine.
- Add salt and pepper to taste. (I like mine pretty salty.)
I used dried mint made from the mint in my Mom's garden, but if you can't find good dried mint, finely chopped fresh mint will work, (but I much prefer dried!)
Joanne says
I’m SO glad you decided to post this because, coincidentally enough, The.Boy’s mom sent three HUGE cucumbers home to us! Talk about perfect timing.
DessertForTwo says
This sounds amazing! We can deal with savory posts, whatever baby wants :)
Amy @ Elephant Eats says
I love this kind of sauce! I know it’s meant to go along with things, but I could totally eat it all by itself. Your salad looks awesome…I could see how it would be particularly refreshing in this hot weather!
Baker Momma says
I’ve been craving this salad since you were here too! Your picture is beautiful! May I suggest to say a ‘small’ clove of garlic, however, in the recipe? Too big and the flavor will be overpowering in this delicate salad.
Audra says
I actually meant to specify “small” clove of garlic- thanks for reminding me- I’ll add it :)
Meagan @ A Zesty Bite says
I am definitely cool with you making other things. I’m always up for a good cucumber salad.
tara says
Mmmm I LOVE Persian food. This looks delicious! I love to put this just over plain white basmati rice. Soooo good. Definitely cool with the savory posts! :)
Chelsey Patti says
Yum, tasty!
Colette ( COCO ) says
This is always present on our table. We call it simply “mast oo khiar” (yogurt & cucumber).
There is a great dried mint mix that has other ingredients including sumac and rose petals.
I should mail some to you….. xo
Mimi @ Culinary Couture says
Your dad has a Middle-Eastern restaurant, that is AWESOME! I love cucumber salad…this would go so well on the side with chickpea burgers…actually who am I kidding, this would go well with anything!
[email protected] says
This looks delicious! It reminds me tzatziki, one of my favorite cucumber yogurt dips. I’ll have to give this a try!
betsy says
looks delish, my part Lebanese hubby will love this! esp with lamb! So awesome your dad has a restaurant, we love middle eastern food (husband grew up in Egypt). yum!!
Tracey says
Hooray for savory posts, I’m all for switching it up sometimes :) This salad looks amazing – so creamy and refreshing!
Vicki @ WITK says
I love cucumber salad! Im all for a few savory posts thrown in with copious numbers of desserts :)
Stephie @ eat your heart out says
I want to scoop this onto a pita and just go.to.town. Seriously, this looks so delicious and refreshing and perfect for the end of summer!
Elisa @ Insalata di Sillabe says
I don’t really like cucumbers, because of their too strong flavor, but this salad looks sooo refreshing, light and delicious…do you think any other vegetable would work well with this?!
Btw, I’d love you to post more savory recipes! Can’t wait for your next posts :)
xo, Elisa
Stephanie @ Girl Versus Dough says
Yay! You posted the salad. :) This looks amazingly delicious — I can definitely see myself eating a whole plateful of it. YUM.
Annie @ Annie's City Kitchen says
I LOVE cucumber salad. I grew up eating that. My mom used to make it all summer long. We’re not Middle Eastern so her version was basically cucumber and ranch dressing :/ However, I’ve classed things up a bit with my own version. I can’t wait to try your recipe!
Georgia @ The Comfort of Cooking says
So happy to see you branching out into savory dishes, Audra! A girl’s gotta eat dinner after all, haha! :) This salad looks incredibly cool, refreshing and perfect for beating the heat. I love cucumber, mint and yogurt together – very Greek!
Kate | Food Babbles says
This salad looks fantastic! I bet it’s so refreshing. It’s also refreshing to not always have it all about sweets ;) I always feel the need to break the sugar up with a little savory something every once and a whole. And there are even times when I decide to exit the baking realm all together so I can’t wait to see what you have up your sleeve.
Marylou says
Hi, I’m from Pakistan and we call this a raita over here – we make it ALL the time and it is of course delicious. Only our version doesn’t have sour cream or olive oil.
Audra says
Yes- I love raita! It’s so great how lots of different cultures have their own versions of this dish. I am a fan of all of them!
Meg says
This looks so delicious! I’ve been on a real cucumber kick lately, and I’m all over anything that reminds me of tzatziki. I could eat that by the carton (or gallon, or bathtub-sized-vat). Yum!
Yasmeen @ Wandering Spice says
Ok, obviously our Arab connection is shining through here… LOVE this salad, we have it all the time, too. I’ve never used sour cream with it though. Will try your Dad’s recipe this weekend when we have friends over for birthday mezze and drinks :)
Nutmeg nanny says
Oh goodness, this looks absolutely delicious! I love cucumber salad and this recipe sounds perfect :)
JIHAD MAHMOUD says
Hello,I am doing a Middle Eastern cooking class and I need a yogurt salad pic to show on my ppt, can I use your photo and still acknowledge you being the owner?
Thanjs