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Filipino Cucumber Salad

Serves 4 to 6 Salad vegetarian, Salads

Filipino Cucumber Salad

Filipino Cucumber Salad, or Pipino Salad, finds its place on the table as a refreshing companion to grilled meats and hearty stews. It's a dish that graces everyday meals, offering a cooling contrast to the rich and savory flavors often present in Filipino cuisine. The simplicity of its preparation reflects the practical approach of Filipino home cooking, where ingredients are celebrated for their natural flavors.

This salad is a harmony of crisp cucumber slices and creamy yogurt, with a hint of garlic and a whisper of dill. The salt is added intuitively, with each home cook adjusting it to bring out the best in the ingredients. It is a dish that feels fresh and light, yet satisfying, embodying the essence of balance in Filipino cooking.

Ingredients

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

Method

  1. Start by washing the 2 cucumbers thoroughly under running water to remove any dirt or impurities. Once clean, peel the cucumbers using a vegetable peeler, then slice them thinly into rounds or half-moons, depending on your preference. Place the sliced cucumbers 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 cucumbers. 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. Stir well until the salt is fully dissolved in the yogurt. This mixture will serve as the creamy dressing for the salad, adding a tangy and smooth texture.
  4. Pour the yogurt dressing over the cucumber and garlic mixture. Add dill to taste, finely chopping it before sprinkling over the salad. The dill will add a fragrant, herbaceous note that enhances the overall flavor.
  5. Gently toss the salad using two large spoons or salad tongs. Be careful to mix the ingredients without breaking the cucumber slices, ensuring they remain intact and evenly coated with the dressing.
  6. Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning with more fine sea salt if needed, ensuring the flavors are balanced and to your liking.
  7. Once the salad is well-mixed and seasoned, transfer it to a serving bowl. Serve immediately with bread, allowing the fresh, creamy, and herbaceous flavors to shine as part of a shared meal.
Cover of Authentic Filipino Cuisine
From the cookbook

Authentic Filipino Cuisine

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

Available soon on Amazon…

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