Cool Cukes, Alluring Avocado

For a lot of my life, I believed I didn’t like cucumbers. I appreciated bitter pickles and Sichuan-style smashed cucumbers, however in most different settings — particularly unhealthy renditions of Greek salad — cucumbers struck me as watery, slippery filler, the honeydew of the savory salad world. (I stand by my dislike of honeydew.) Why would you dunk a cucumber spear in dip when you would select a carrot? Or a radish? Why?

However now I do know the reality, which is that the cucumber is one in every of nature’s nice coolants, a foil for each sizzling climate and chile warmth. The most effective dishes that use it foreground its juicy crunch. And a heap of cucumbers, frivolously dressed or rapidly pickled, is a quick, single-subject salad that works with many meals. (It helps should you use Persian or English cucumbers, that are thinner-skinned and don’t have the massive goopy seeds you discover in commonplace backyard cucumbers.)

There are two new cucumbery recipes beneath, and much more of them on New York Instances Cooking; you’ll see them right here all through the summer season. As a result of I do know there are individuals who haven’t but gone down the cucumber path — and I perceive why — there are different recipes for the week, too.

1. Sesame Cucumber and Avocado Salad

This cooling salad by Hetty McKinnon can simply flip into dinner should you serve it with rice, noodles or just cooked hen or tofu on the facet. The avocados add creaminess that contrasts with the crunch.

View this recipe.

2. Greek Rooster With Cucumber-Feta Salad

Ali Slagle took the flavors of a hen souvlaki platter, together with the salad and tzatziki, and channeled them right into a single recipe you can make at residence after work. If you happen to love horiatiki — the standard Greek salad, on which the American diner-style model is predicated — you then already know that feta and cucumbers are a wonderful pair.

3. Halloumi With Corn, Cherry Tomatoes and Basil

This Melissa Clark recipe is a one-pan ode to summer season, and I considered it after I noticed recent corn on the retailer and wished to show it into dinner. I added farro to make it a meal, and actually, I don’t suppose it is advisable to halve the cherry tomatoes; simply cook dinner them somewhat longer. However that’s me. Swapping halloumi for agency tofu would make it vegan.

View this recipe.

4. Pasta With Inexperienced Beans and Almond Gremolata

This easy pasta dish from Colu Henry is nice for youths — or actually, anybody who loves a easy pasta dish in summer season (me). The gremolata takes it up a notch, however you possibly can skip it should you’re seeking to maintain issues low effort.