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Pakistani Cucumber Salad

Serves 4 to 6 Salad vegetarian, Salads

Pakistani Cucumber Salad

Pakistani Cucumber Salad is a staple across the bustling cities of Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, and Islamabad, each with its own subtle twist. Common on family tables, this salad is a refreshing accompaniment, especially during the warm months. It is celebrated for its simplicity, with each home adjusting salt and fat to personal preference, ensuring every serving is as unique as the hands that prepared it.

The cool, crisp cucumbers meld beautifully with creamy yogurt, while a hint of garlic and fragrant dill elevate its freshness. Fine sea salt, added by instinct, enhances these flavors, creating a balance that is both invigorating and satisfying. This salad is best enjoyed alongside a variety of traditional dishes, bringing a light, cooling contrast to richer flavors.

Ingredients

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

Method

  1. Start by washing 2 cucumbers thoroughly under cold running water to remove any dirt. Peel the cucumbers using a vegetable peeler, then slice them into thin rounds, about 1/4 inch thick. Place the sliced cucumbers in a large mixing bowl and set aside.
  2. In a small bowl, combine 200 g of yogurt with a finely minced clove of garlic. Mix well until the garlic is evenly distributed throughout the yogurt. This will form the creamy base of your salad, adding a tangy and aromatic flavor.
  3. Add a generous handful of fresh dill to the yogurt mixture. Chop the dill finely before adding it to ensure even distribution and to release its fragrant oils. Stir the dill into the yogurt thoroughly.
  4. Pour the yogurt mixture over the sliced cucumbers in the mixing bowl. Sprinkle fine sea salt to taste, starting with a small pinch and adjusting as needed. The salt will draw out the cucumbers' natural juices, enhancing their flavor.
  5. Gently toss the cucumbers with the yogurt dressing using a large spoon or your hands. Be careful to keep the cucumber slices intact, as they are delicate and can break easily. Ensure that each slice is well-coated with the dressing.
  6. Transfer the salad to a serving dish and garnish with a few sprigs of fresh dill for a touch of color and added aroma. Serve the salad immediately with fresh bread, allowing the cool, creamy flavors to complement the meal.
Cover of Authentic Pakistani Cuisine
From the cookbook

Authentic Pakistani Cuisine

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

Available soon on Amazon…

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