Randys Cucumber Saketini Recipes

CUCUMBER SAKE-TINI

Steps:

• Combine the gin, sake, lime juice, cucumber, grapes, mint, agave nectar, and salt in a blender. Blend until frothy and smooth.

MEXICAN CUCUMBER MARTINIS

Steps:

• In small saucepan, bring the water and sugar to a boil over medium high-heat. Simmer until the sugar has dissolved completely. Set aside to cool.
• Put the chile-lime powder on a small plate. Using the lime wedge, moisten the rims of the martini glasses. Invert the martini glasses into the chile-lime powder, to coat the rims.
• In a blender, combine the simple syrup, cucumber, water, and lime juice until smooth. Strain the mixture into a pitcher. Add the vodka and mix well. Fill a martini shaker with ice and add about 1 cup of the prepared cucumber mixture. Shake well and serve.

TANGY CUCUMBER SALAD

Steps:

• Slice cucumbers into thin slices.
• In a bowl, combine sugar, vinegar, mustard, olive oil, salt, and pepper.
• Pour over cucumbers and stir until all cucumbers are coated.
• Sprinkle with dried chives.
• Refrigerate until ready to serve.
• We recommend preparing about an hour before to let the flavors soak into the cucumbers.

CUCUMBER MARTINI

Steps:

• Mix gin and thick cucumber slices in pitcher. Cover and chill overnight or up to 3 days.
• Strain gin, discarding thick cucumber slices. Pour half of gin into cocktail shaker. Add 1 tablespoon vermouth, then fill shaker with ice. Shake vigorously; strain into three glasses. Repeat with remaining gin and vermouth.
• Garnish with thin cucumber slices.

SMASHED CUCUMBERS WITH CUMIN TAHINI

Steps:

• Rinse cucumbers and pat dry. Cut crosswise into pieces about 4 inches long. Cut each piece in half lengthwise.
• On a work surface, place a piece of cucumber (or several) cut side down. Lay the blade of a large knife flat on top the cucumber and smash down lightly with your other hand. The skin will begin to crack, the flesh will break down and the seeds will separate. Repeat until the whole piece is smashed. Break or slice diagonally into bite-size pieces, leaving the seeds behind.
• Place the cucumber pieces in a strainer and toss with a big pinch of salt and a big pinch of sugar. Place a plastic bag filled with ice on top of the cucumbers to serve as a weight and place the strainer over a bowl. Let drain 15 to 30 minutes on the counter, or in the refrigerator until ready to serve, up to 4 hours.
• Make the dressing: In a blender or small food processor, combine lime juice and garlic and blend. Add tahini and 2 tablespoons warm water and blend. Check the texture; you want a smooth, creamy liquid. If necessary, add more warm water and blend again. Add olive oil, 1/2 teaspoon salt, the cumin and the oregano, rubbing the dried leaves between your fingers to release the flavors. Taste for salt and adjust the seasonings.
• Make the chile vinegar, if desired: Place sambal in a bowl and slowly drizzle in white vinegar, stirring to loosen. Taste often and stop adding vinegar when mixture is tart and spicy, but not enough to make your eyes water.
• When ready to serve, shake cucumbers well to drain off any remaining liquid and transfer to a bowl. Drizzle lightly with olive oil and toss. Add half the dressing, toss and taste. Keep adding dressing until cucumbers are well coated but not drowned.
• Serve immediately. For each serving, scoop a large spoonful of cucumbers into a bowl, spoon a little chile vinegar around the edges and sprinkle with sesame seeds.

CUCUMBER, GINGER, AND SAKE SANGRIA

Steps:

• Cut cucumber crosswise into three equal pieces. Peel and chop 2 pieces, then put into a blender. Peel 4 lengthwise strips from remaining piece, leaving stripes of green, then halve piece lengthwise and core. Thinly slice crosswise.
• Add water, sugar, fresh ginger, and lemon juice to blender and purée until smooth. Pour through a medium-mesh sieve into a pitcher, then stir in sake, crystallized ginger if using, and cucumber slices. Chill, covered, until ready to serve, up to 2 hours. Serve over ice.