Mizeria Polish Cucumber Salad Recipes

MIZERIA: POLISH CUCUMBER SALAD WITH SOUR CREAM

Steps:

• Wash the cucumbers and radishes under cold running water.
• [Peeling] There's no need to peel this type of cucumbers, as the skin is edible and very thin. I prefer to peel the cucumbers anyway, only leaving ½ of one cucumber unpeeled (mainly for a visual effect).
• Slice the cucumbers through their length into thin medallions. Repeat with the radishes. Set aside.
• [Optional] Cut the onion in half, peel back the skin. Place the onion halves cut side down, and slice them finely into half-moons.
• Drop sliced vegetables (cucumbers, radishes, onion) into a large bowl. Sprinkle one and a half tablespoons of salt and mix everything with a spoon. The aim is to coat the cucumbers with salt evenly.
• Move the veggies into a colander (or a large sieve). Place a large bowl underneath it - it can be the same bowl we have just used, there's no need for extra cleaning. Cover with a plastic wrap, so the cukes won't dry up and chill in the fridge for 4-5 hours; or even overnight. We're not done here just yet though, follow the next step.
• Line a fine-mesh sieve (large enough to hold 24 ounces or 700 ml) with a cheesecloth (loose-woven gauze) or a piece of paper towel. Place it over a bowl.
• Pour the yogurt in, and cover the whole thing with cling film. Again, refrigerate for 4-5 hours; or overnight. We're done here, for now. See you in a few hours!
• Retrieve both bowls from the refrigerator. Unwrap them and discard the excess liquid that has collected at the bottom.
• Roll the vegetables in paper towels (or a clean kitchen towel) to dry them up and press out any excess juices.
• In a large bowl, add in the yogurt, sour cream, vinegar, sugar, dill, and black pepper. Whisk the dressing together, then add in all the vegetables.
• Toss well and have a taste. We have salted the cucumbers well before, but some of that salt will be gone at this point. I usually add one more teaspoon of salt, but you might need two.
• Refrigerate for a few hours before serving, so that the flavours can develop and blend together. If you're impatient, you can serve it immediately.
• Right before serving, you can sprinkle 'Mizeria' lightly with salt, ground pepper, and a few dill twigs.

MIZERIA (POLISH CUCUMBER SALAD)

Steps:

• For ordinary cucumbers, peel, slice lengthwise and remove the seeds
• Slice as thin as possible, no more than 1/8 inch
• If you're using the thin skinned hot house cucumbers, just slice
• Spread out the slices and sprinkle with salt
• After 20 minutes pat and press with a paper towel
• Combine the sour cream, vinegar, chives, dill, sugar, 1/2 teaspoon salt , and pepper
• Chill

AUTHENTIC POLISH CUCUMBER SALAD (MIZERIA)

Steps:

• Place cucumbers in a medium bowl.
• Add salt.
• Mix lightly until salt adheres evenly to cucumbers.
• Cover and refrigerate for one hour.
• Drain juice from limp cucumbers.
• In a small bowl, combine the remainder of the ingredients.
• Add to cucumbers, mixing gently.
• Cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.

MIZERIA (POLISH CUCUMBER SALAD)

Steps:

• Sprinkle salt over cucumbers in a bowl. Let stand until cucumbers are soft, about 5 minutes. Squeeze liquid from cucumbers and discard. Add dill to cucumbers.
• Mix sour cream, lemon juice, and sugar in a bowl; add to cucumbers and toss to coat. Season with black pepper. Chill completely before serving, at least 30 minutes.

POLISH CUCUMBER SALAD (MIZERIA)

Steps:

• Mix well all ingredients in a bowl. Serve.