SEASONAL RECIPE ROUND UP | CUCUMBER
Summer is here and so is this season's recipe roundup! I am choosing to stay cool with these top-5 wanna-try CUCUMBER recipes! Cucumbers are hydrating and refreshing, providing the perfect counterbalance needed on those hot, long days of summer. From an Ayurvedic perspective cucumbers are pitta pacifying and blood purifying. If you find yourself inflamed, irritable, and over-worked this summer, pump the brakes. Savor the care-free days of summer by not over-scheduling your days and switching up your yoga practice to include more "cooling" yin + restorative poses. Jenn recently wrote up a great restorative sequence that I have been loving!
I've been trying to keep my food and schedule simple this summer to allow for plenty of time to indulge in that sweet, sweet summatime sunshine. I am all about ocean swims, hikes and foraging for medicinal plants this summer. This past weekend I went out and collected wild yarrow, elderberry, yerba santa, and fremontia bark for loose teas, balms and infusions. On my way back home I bought some cucumbers from a local, organic farm. They were so delicious I ate them raw and didn't think twice about needing a recipe to enjoy them. That was just Nature reminding me, "no need to overcomplicate your life." In that spirit, I hope this recipe roundup helps simplify your summer menu planning! Jenn and I would love to see how you're enjoying this series, so share your cucumber recipe adventures with us by using our hashtag: #IWRseasonalreciperoundup !
No. 1 | RADISH, CUCUMBER + HEMP SEED TABBOULEH
Until I get a beachside bungalow healing space, I treat patients indoors in an air-conditioned environment. Since I am working in a constant winter-like environment inside it's understandable that I often crave warming foods. BUT THEN I get outside into 90 degree weather, and I immediately regret said hot food. To keep myself in balance I sip warming drinks throughout the morning, and as soon as it is time for lunch, I get myself outside for at least 2 hours to reorient my senses (Yes, I've actually adjusted my schedule to have a 2 hour lunch). Research is emerging that your DNA changes with the seasons. If you spend a lot of your time inside and your body can't fully sense the seasonal variations where you live, it's possible that your genes aren't getting the signal to ramp up more immune-boosting factors at the times of year when your body needs them the most. Long story long, when I finally re-calibrate into realizing, "Hey, it's hot oustide," all I want is a smoothie or a salad with hydrating and refreshing ingredients. Thank you to our Malibu 2016 retreat chef, Claire, for laying out this tabbouleh recipe that I can see myself delighting in.
No. 2| STRAWBERRY, LIME, CUCUMBER + MINT WATER
My water is never just water. I am always keeping my co-workers on their toes guessing, often playing the, "what's in your water today?" game. Infusing water is nothing new, but this variation by Oh my Dish just seems FANCY and I am all in.
No. 3 | FROZEN CUCUMBER MOSCOW MULE
I don't think that this Real Simple recipe needs any justification for wanting to make. GIMME! GIMME! GIMME!
No. 4 | CUCUMBER GREEK SALAD
I always crave Mediterranean food in the summer. It's light, yet filling and has a handful of seasonal ingredients that I love like tomatoes and cucumbers. Note to self: stop buying the $9 pre-made salad, and just make it yourself. Thank you Belle of the Kitchen for reminding me how EASY this greek salad is to make myself.
No. 5 | SALMON WITH CUCUMBER-YOGURT SAUCE + CARROT SALAD
Need to try this recipe immediately! Bon Appétit's description for this dish has me DRA-OO-LING... "The crisp-skinned salmon is warmed up with spices and the sweetness of carrots. Then it's cooled down with one of the most refreshing combinations of all time: cucumbers and yogurt."
