Magpies Cucumber Sauce Food

MY ENGLISH FRIEND MAGGIE'S FAVORITE SIMPLE SUPPER: POACHED SALMON WITH DIJON DILL SAUCE, CUCUMBER AND DARK BREAD, NEW POTATOES WITH MINT

Steps:

• Place potatoes in a pot and cover with water. Cover pot and bring water to a boil. Add a generous amount of coarse salt to the water, a few healthy pinches. Reduce heat to medium and boil covered until tender, about 12 minutes.
• Place salmon fillets in a large deep skillet or divide between 2 skillets if you do not have a pan large enough to accommodate all 8 portions. The additional portions will provide the cooked salmon for salmon cakes on another night. Pour wine and water into the pan so that just the very top of the salmon is exposed. Add a bay leaf and a bouquet of a few sprigs each fresh tarragon, dill and parsley to the pan and set it down into the liquid. Place the pan or pans over high heat and bring the liquid to a boil. Reduce heat to medium low and cover the pan. Poach salmon for 10 minutes or, until fish is firm and opaque.
• Drain your potatoes and return them to the hot pot. Add butter to the pot and turn potatoes to coat them lightly in the butter. Sprinkle the mint and sugar over the potatoes.
• Combine sour cream with Dijon mustard and chopped herbs in a small bowl.
• Remove salmon from the cooking liquid with a thin spatula. Reserve 3 portions of the salmon and place in the refrigerator or freeze for salmon cakes meal.
• To serve, place a piece of salmon on a plate and garnish with sauce. Serve pumpernickel squares, watercress and sliced cucumber along side the fish. Add minted red potatoes to the plate and serve.

CUCUMBER SAUCE

Steps:

• Line a fine mesh strainer with two layers of cheesecloth. Place yogurt in strainer over a bowl. Cover and refrigerate for at least four hours or overnight., Drain and discard liquid in bowl; set yogurt aside. Place cucumber in a colander over a plate; sprinkle with salt. Let stand for 15 minutes; discard liquid. , In a small bowl, whisk oil and vinegar until blended. Stir in the garlic, yogurt and cucumber.

CUCUMBER SAUCE FOR GYROS

Steps:

• Put the cucumber into a colander and sprinkle with a little salt.
• Let rest for 10-15 minutes to allow extra juices to escape the cucumber.
• Gently squeeze the cucumber in a paper or cloth towel.
• Put everything a bowl and mix well (I don't rinse the cucumber).
• Add salt and pepper to taste.
• Refrigerate for a couple of hours prior to using (if you have time).
• A turn or two in the food processor would yield a nice smooth sauce.
• Good on anything, especially Gyros.

CUCUMBER DILL SAUCE

Steps:

• Place cucumber in colander and toss with salt; let drain 30 minutes.
• Rinse with cold water and shake dry.
• Melt butter in heavy saucepan over medium-low heat.
• Add shallot and cucumber.
• Place buttered piece of parchment or waxed paper over top and cover pan with lid.
• Simmer gently until cucumber is just tender, about 5 minutes.
• Combine vermouth and vinegar in heavy saucepan and boil until reduced by half.
• Add cream and continue boiling until sauce is reduced and thickened.
• Reduce heat and stir in dill.
• Add cucumber and heat just through.
• If a smother sauce is desired, whirl cucumbers in a blender or processor until desired consistancy is reached.

SAUCE FOR CUCUMBERS

Steps:

• Blend mayonnaise, milk, sugar, pepper and mustard together.
• Add vinegar, mix.
• Pour over sliced cucumbers and onions.
• Chill and serve.

MAGPIE'S CUCUMBER SAUCE

Steps:

• Place the cucumber in a colander, sprinkle with salt, and allow to drain for 15 minutes.
• Mix the yogurt, mint, and dill in a bowl. Stir in the drained cucumber. Chill at least 30 minutes before serving.

MAGPIE'S BARBEQUE SAUCE

Steps:

• Heat the bacon drippings in a saucepan over medium heat. Cook the onion in the bacon drippings until soft, about 7 minutes. Stir in the garlic and ginger. Cook and stir another 30 seconds. Reduce heat to low.
• Stir together the ketchup, Worcestershire sauce, soy sauce, brown sugar, balsamic vinegar, lemon juice, chipotle sauce, mustard, ground chile pepper, pepper, salt, cumin, coriander, and paprika in a bowl. Stir sauce into the onion mixture, and simmer for 20 minutes, stirring frequently.

CUCUMBER SAUCE

Steps:

• Peel cucumber (if bitter) and scoop out seeds.
• Grate coarsely to make 3/4 cup.
• In 2 cup microwaveable bowl, measure,combine cucumber, mayonnaise, yogurt, parsley, lemon juice and onion.
• Microwave HIGH 2-3 minutes or until warm (stir once).