Buttermilk Cucumbers with Almonds and Everything
In this elevated spin on the viral recipe, creamy buttermilk dressing with herbs gets tossed with English cucumbers, shallots and the surprisingly brilliant addition of everything bagel seasoning. Add in the bright tang of lemon zest and the briny punch of capers and finish with chopped almonds and dill. This rendition on standard summer cucumber salad recipes rises to an entirely new level!
Equipment
- colander
- microplane or rasp
Ingredients
- 2 English cucumbers peeled and sliced thin
- salt
- 1 large shallot sliced thin
- 1 cup Buttermilk Dressing with Fresh Herbs recipe follows, or prepared
- 2 tablespoons chopped capers
- 2 tablespoons everything bagel seasoning plus more for garnish
- zest of one lemon, using a microplane
- ⅓ cup chopped almonds
- fresh dill for garnish optional
Buttermilk Dressing with Fresh Herbs
- 1 cup buttermilk
- 3 tablespoons mayonnaise
- 3 tablespoons sour cream or crème fraiche
- 2 tablespoons champagne or white wine vinegar
- 2 teaspoons whole grain Dijon mustard
- 2 tablespoons minced shallot
- 1 small garlic clove minced
- 1 tablespoon minced fresh flat-leaf parsley
- 1 tablespoon minced chopped fresh chives
- 1 teaspoon minced tarragon
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- ½ teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
- Pinch cayenne pepper
Instructions
- Place sliced cucumbers in a colander over a rimmed plate and sprinkle with salt. Allow to drain for 20 minutes and transfer cucumbers to a medium bowl along with sliced shallots.
- Add capers, one tablespoon everything bagel seasoning and lemon zest to buttermilk dressing. Whisk to combine.
- Add dressing to the bowl with cucumbers, shallots and remaining tablespoon of everything bagel seasoning and toss to combine. Refrigerate for an hour before serving.
- Transfer cucumbers to a serving platter and garnish with chopped almonds, a few sprinkles of everything bagel seasoning and fresh dill if desired.
- Prepare Buttermilk Dressing: In a medium bowl, whisk together the first five ingredients. Whisk in the remaining ingredients. Refrigerate for 30 minutes. Shake well before serving.