Creamy Cucumber Salad brings to mind a small farmhouse in the deep South. It’s a dish that a mother would make using a recipe handed down from her mother, and her mother before that. It’s one of those dishes that will warm your body and soul with each bite. I’ve used this salad for years when we were in the heat of summer. It was always thought to be a “summer dish” because it was such a refreshing meal when it was hot outside.
This is the perfect dish for an evening dinner on the porch when there is a nice cool breeze in the air.
How to Prepare the Creamy Cucumber Salad
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Ingredients:
- 4 large Cucumbers
- 1 medium Sweet Onion
- 1 cup Mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup White Sugar
- 1/4 cup White Vinegar
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Directions:
Begin by thoroughly washing and peeling the four large cucumbers. For consistent and even slices, use a Mandoline slicer. Proceed to thinly slice the cucumbers and set them aside. Next, thinly slice the medium-sized sweet onion.
Choose a suitable bowl, preferably ceramic, glass, or plastic, with a lid. Combine the sliced cucumbers and onions in this bowl.
In a separate, smaller bowl, start preparing the dressing. Add one cup of mayonnaise, half a cup of white sugar, and a quarter cup of white vinegar. Whisk these ingredients together until they form a smooth and homogenous mixture.
Pour this mayonnaise-based dressing over the cucumber and onion slices in the larger bowl. Gently mix them to ensure even coating of the vegetables with the dressing. Season the salad with salt and pepper to suit your taste.
After mixing, cover the bowl with its lid. Shake the covered bowl gently to distribute the dressing evenly. Marinate the salad in the refrigerator. We recommend marinating it for at least six hours; however, leaving it overnight will blend the flavors more thoroughly.
Before serving, stir the salad lightly. Store any leftovers in the refrigerator to keep them fresh and flavorful for later enjoyment.
FAQs:
What is the best way to slice cucumbers for Creamy Cucumber Salad?
For Creamy Cucumber Salad, slicing the cucumbers thinly and uniformly is key. A mandoline slicer is highly recommended for achieving even, thin slices quickly and efficiently. Moreover, using a mandoline ensures that each slice absorbs the dressing evenly, enhancing the overall texture and flavor of the salad.
Can Creamy Cucumber Salad be made ahead of time?
Yes, Creamy Cucumber Salad is ideal for making ahead of time. In fact, allowing the salad to marinate in the refrigerator for at least 6 hours or overnight will enable the flavors to meld beautifully. Furthermore, this makes it a convenient option for gatherings or meal prep, as the flavors continue to develop while chilling.
What type of bowl is best for marinating Creamy Cucumber Salad?
It is best to use a ceramic, glass, or plastic bowl with a tight-fitting lid for marinating Creamy Cucumber Salad. These materials will not react with the vinegar in the dressing, ensuring that the flavors remain pure and unaltered. Additionally, the lid helps to seal in the flavors and ensures even marination when the bowl is shaken lightly.
Is there a substitute for mayonnaise in Creamy Cucumber Salad if I’m avoiding eggs?
If you need to avoid eggs, several alternatives can replace mayonnaise in Creamy Cucumber Salad. You could use vegan mayonnaise, which is widely available and egg-free. Additionally, plain yogurt or sour cream can also be used as a substitute, offering a tangy flavor that complements the sweet and acidic dressing.
How long can you keep Creamy Cucumber Salad in the refrigerator?
Creamy Cucumber Salad can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 days when kept in a covered container. Moreover, it’s important to note that as the salad sits, the cucumbers will continue to release moisture, which may thin the dressing slightly. Therefore, it’s best enjoyed within the first few days for optimal texture and flavor.
Creamy Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
- 4 large Cucumbers
- 1 medium Sweet Onion
- 1 cup Mayonnaise
- 1/2 cup White Sugar
- 1/4 cup White Vinegar
- Salt and Pepper to taste
Instructions
- Wash, peel and thinly slice 4 large cucumbers. Use a Mandoline for uniformity.
- Thinly slice 1 medium sweet onion.
- Place the sliced cucumbers and onions in a ceramic, glass or plastic bowl that has a lid.
- In a small bowl combine mayonnaise, sugar and vinegar. Mix until smooth.
- Turn the mayonnaise mixture into the cucumber and onion mixture, combine well.
- Salt and pepper to taste.
- Cover with a lid, shake lightly.
- Allow to marinate in the refrigerator for a minimum of 6 hours (overnight works well).
- Refrigerate leftovers.
