Be as cool as a cucumber with these 4 recipes featuring the humble kheera

Are you one of those people who consider cucumber to be just a side dish? Well, it’s time you switch it up in quarantine and try making dishes with cucumber as the hero. Because cucumber is one of the best things about summer and it is available around us. So, why not go on an experimenting spree with the cooling vegetable?

Cucumber is the perfect combination of cool and healthy. Here’s why
While you decide if you’re in for this cooking adventure, here are some health benefits of the ‘cool’ vegetable:

• The high content of vitamin K present in cucumber is a brilliant bone health nutrient
• It can cure any constipation woes since it provides both fibre and water
• This vegetable provides a healthy dose of potassium and magnesium, which will help with lowering blood pressure
• Flavonoids present in cucumbers possess antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties, saving us from infections
• This light veggie has only 16 calories per 100 grams and helps keep weight in check

Here are some of the ways in which you can enjoy the light but versatile vegetable this summer

1. Chomp on cucumber sticks
In between our meals we often feel peckish and crave finger foods. Cucumber sticks are the easiest solution for our snack woes. Just cut a cucumber into tiny sticks, sprinkle salt along with some pepper, and refrigerate. You can also make hummus to go with it! Chips got nothing on cucumber sticks.

2. Calm yourself down with this cucumber slush
Want a tasty, cool drink that helps you get healthy? Fret not! We got you.

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To make this soothing cucumber slush you’ll need:

• Half a cucumber
• 1-inch piece ginger, grated
• 1/4th teaspoon turmeric powder
• 10 stalks of coriander leaves
• Mint leaves
• 10 curry leaves
• 1 amla, grated
• Pinch of pepper
• 1 /2 lemon

Instructions:

Just combine all the ingredients in a blender with some cold water and squeeze the juice of lemon into it. Voila! Your calming slush with all the healthy greens is ready.

3. It’s time to mix it up with the cucumber egg stir fry
This wholesome one-pan dish is for people who don’t like the taste of fresh cucumber but love some crunch in their stir fry.

For making this dish you will need:

• 2 to 3 cucumbers
• 3 eggs
• 1 tsp garlic, crushed
• Salt
• Olive oil
• Soya sauce (optional)

Instructions:

• Cut the cucumbers lengthwise and scoop out all the seeds inside. Chop into slices and toss with some salt. (This will remove excess moisture, making the slices crunchy and bring out the natural sweetness of the cucumber.)
• Beat eggs in a separate bowl and season with a pinch of salt. Set aside.
• Sauté cucumber with garlic for a couple of minutes to heat it through thoroughly until it loses the raw texture and becomes crunchy.
• Lightly push sauteed cucumbers to one side of the pan and pour beaten eggs into the empty side of the pan. Season them with salt.
• Let the eggs settle, and then toss them with cucumber pieces together. You can also add soy sauce while it simmers if you wish to.
• When the eggs are cooked to your liking, serve on a plate with some pepper on top.

4. It’s time to experiment with cold cucumber soup
Cold soup sounds strange initially, doesn’t it? But it’s perfect for those slow days when you want to enjoy the wholesomeness of soup-but in the chubti-jalti garmi.

To make this hot-cold delicacy you will need:

• 1 cucumber
• 1 cup mint, chopped
• 1 bulb garlic, chopped
• 1 1/4 cup plain non-fat yogurt
• 1/2 teaspoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 teaspoon sea/rock salt

Instructions

• Blend the cucumber, mint, and garlic into a puree until smooth.
• Pour cucumber mixture into a bowl and whisk in the yogurt along with lime juice. Add a pinch of salt and refrigerate it for 2 hours.
• Voila! Here’s how you can enjoy a soothing soup in the prickly summers.

So folks, go crazy for cucumber this summer and enjoy this the refreshing taste this cool vegetable.