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Brasileiro Cucumber Salad

Serves 4 to 6 Salad vegetarian, Salads

Brasileiro Cucumber Salad

Brasileiro Cucumber Salad is a staple at home tables across Brazil, where it's crafted with a balance of intuition and tradition. This version captures the essence of Brazilian home cooking, where salt is measured by the pinch, and a generous hand with fat ensures everyone leaves the table satisfied. It's not about precision but about creating a dish that's meant for sharing, a reflection of the Brazilian spirit of hospitality.

The salad combines crisp cucumber with creamy yogurt, infused with the boldness of garlic and the freshness of dill. Each bite offers a refreshing contrast of textures and flavors, with the cucumbers providing a cool crunch against the tangy, rich yogurt. Salt is added to taste, enhancing the natural flavors and bringing the dish together in a harmonious melody that speaks to the heart of Brazilian home cooking.

Ingredients

  • 2cucumbers
  • 200 gyogurt
  • 1 clovegarlic
  • dill — chopped
  • to tastefine sea salt

Method

  1. Start by washing the 2 cucumbers thoroughly under cold running water to remove any dirt or impurities. Use a sharp knife to slice the cucumbers into thin rounds, about 1/4 inch thick. Place the slices in a large mixing bowl and set aside.
  2. Peel and finely mince 1 clove of garlic. Add the minced garlic to the bowl with the cucumber slices. This will infuse the salad with a subtle garlic flavor that complements the freshness of the cucumbers.
  3. In a separate small bowl, combine 200 g of yogurt with a generous pinch of fine sea salt. Whisk the mixture until smooth and creamy. The yogurt will act as the dressing, providing a tangy and creamy texture to the salad.
  4. Pour the yogurt dressing over the cucumber and garlic mixture. Add freshly chopped dill to taste, which will add a fragrant and slightly sweet herbal note to the salad.
  5. Gently toss the cucumber slices with the yogurt dressing using a large spoon or salad tongs. Be careful to keep the cucumber slices intact, ensuring they are evenly coated with the dressing.
  6. Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning with more fine sea salt if necessary. The cucumbers should taste fresh and slightly tangy, with a hint of garlic and dill.
  7. Serve the Brasileiro Cucumber Salad immediately, accompanied by fresh bread. The salad should be cool and refreshing, making it a perfect dish for sharing at the table.
Cover of Authentic Brazilian Cuisine
From the cookbook

Authentic Brazilian Cuisine

This recipe is from Authentic Brazilian Cuisine by Yassine Sbiti — the Brazilian volume in the ComidaTime International Cuisines series.

Available soon on Amazon…

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