The French approach to vegetables is to be admired. No artifice, just simplicity to bring out the flavours of the produce.
Feel free to browse our cucumber recipes here and here, and our cucumber salad recipes here and here. All of our salads are here and here. Or gain inspiration from the Summer recipes here and here.
Concombres en Salade
Source : Elizabeth David’s French Provincial Cuisine
Cuisine: French, but International really
Prep time: 5 mins
Cooking time: 0 mins
Serves: 4 – 6 people, depending how you use it
ingredients
cucumber
best quality extra virgin olive oil
sea salt
chives, chervil or parsley
equipment
mandoline or sharp knife
method
In the words of Elizabeth David:
“To slice a cucumber really thinly you need the instrument called a mandoline. In France, the cucumber is nearly always peeled (use a potato parer) and is best prepared a little time ahead. Slice it almost paper thin on the mandoline, sprinkle it with salt, put in a colander with a plate pressed down over it and leave to drain. After a minimum of half an hour press it dry and dress with oil, a few drops of vinegar, a pinch of sugar. Sprinkle with chopped chives, chervil or parsley.
The gherkin cucumbers, short and fat, which are used for pickling and which come into the shops in August, can be treated in the same fashion, and it is essential to peel them as their skins are apt to be better; then cut them in half lengthways and discard the course seeds before slicing them, and be rather more generous with the sugar in the dressing.
As the season advances, ordinary cucumbers become full of seed and watery, and they too should have the seeds remove in the same way as the cornichon cucumbers.”
I like to add a little black pepper.
Enjoy!
…
Simply a delight. Greeks serve something like this at bars as “meze”. I think I’ll try your approach as well.
She’s spot on that Ms David.
I’ve been enjoying re-reading the book. Enormously. Thanks, so very much, for the timely reminder.
Cuisine: International. Totally agree. Just change the herbs and it can be any cuisine you want.
nice pic! refreshing recipe!
we make a similar thing in Croatia, minus the herbs, and plus a bit of red wine vinegar. π Lovely! I also love it with some sliced yellow pepper, and a bit of red onion added to it.
I think I’m going to have to take your tip about Elizabeth David. What great, precise advice! And I’m imagining the nice cool flavours of cucumber in a simple salad like this… yum!
Cucumber salad is the best, we had it Indian style for two day to recover from Thanksgiving feast!:D
Simple is the way to go! Stunning photography and a this recipe is just always a winner!
Ronell
Love the first pic.
Thank you everyone for your lovely comments. I have really enjoyed hearing about the different variations on a cucumber theme. I also am so stunned by how everyone has responded to the Simplicity theme. I certainly needed a reminder – it is so easy to forget.
This website is such a treasure trove. Thank you for visit my blog and letting me discover yours! I can’t wait to explore your archives.
You’ve been blog rolled and fed! π
delicious… we mix it with yogurt to make a great summer relish!
your pictures are always so beautiful, although I have to disagree with Elizabeth (do I dare) and say cucumbers are best eaten, fresh and whole, in great big slices sprinkled with a little maldon salt
What gorgeous photos! It’s barely past 6 AM here and I am dying for cukes now with a little salt, pepper and red wine vinegar.
Thankyou for dropping by my blog and leaving your comments!
First time here and you have a unique blog …Photos look too gud..:)
wonderful pics and very easy recipes..salads are really great relief after eating non for more than one day.. thanks for the comments in my blog, so could find out this..
See u,
Hello everyone, so sorry for taking so long to get back to you. A full on week. Cynthia, thankyou for your kind comments. Glad you love my blog. I love doing it.
Mandira, yes, with yoghurt or cream – lovely.
African vanielje, I absolutely agree with you. Unadulturated. But then ED was writing about French approaches, so we can forgive her.
ella, so sorry for making you hungry! At 6 am too!
Rajesware (lovely name!) thanks!
simpleanddelicious, thanks too. Yes salads are all i crave sometimes.
Cucumber closeup pic is so cooooooooool!
Excellent site, keep up the good work
Ah!!! at last I found what I was looking for. Somtimes it takes so much effort to find even tiny useful piece of information.
Nice post. Thanks
Hey very nice blog!!….I’m an instant fan, I have bookmarked you and I’ll be checking back on a regular….See ya