Recipes with cucumbers

Considered the national dish of Malaysia, nasi lemak is a breakfast staple in Singapore hawker centres, but is also recognised as one of the least healthy breakfast options - no surprise since lemak means 'fatty' and refers to the rich white rice cooked in coconut cream. When served with fried chicken, the dish really does pack a calorific punch. However, with a few tweaks and substitutions it is possible to create a healthier version of the dish to enjoy on weekends at home with family.

Thai-style plain fried rice with tofu, garlic, soy sauce, and white pepper, served with fresh cucumber, cilantro, chilies, and lime wedges.

Microwave orange chicken roulade with cinnamon-rice stuffing, finished with a glossy orange juice sauce and broken walnuts. A 30-minute dinner that looks dinner-party fancy.

Quick sweet pickles for canning, eight pounds of cucumbers in a sugar-vinegar brine spiced with allspice, celery seed, and mustard seed. A big-batch summer canning project.

Pasta Mexicana: a cold spinach-spaghetti pasta salad tossed with diced tomato, cucumber matchsticks, sliced avocado, salsa, and fresh cilantro. A Tex-Mex twist on summer pasta salad.

Classic chef's salad piled high with salami, cubed turkey, tomato wedges, cucumbers, and mixed greens. Served with a zesty homemade Thousand Island dressing on the side.

Old-fashioned uncooked cucumber relish with onions and vinegar. Chop, salt, pack in jars, and let time do the work. Ready after one month of curing for a tangy, crunchy condiment.

Chinese cold jellyfish salad tossed with shredded rainbow vegetables, sesame oil, and toasted sesame seeds. A banquet-style appetizer famous for its crunchy texture and minimalist dressing.

Another salad substitute that's both scrumptious and entertaining for dinner with family or friends.

Indian cucumber raita salad with yogurt, cumin, mint, and lemon juice. Cool, creamy, and ready in 5 minutes. A refreshing side for spicy curries.

Chicken satay with lime-curry-honey marinated chicken skewers, served with a fresh cucumber-vinegar sauce. A light Southeast Asian-inspired appetizer or main, broiled indoors in under 10 minutes.

Summer pickled cucumbers with a hot vinegar brine spiced with celery seed and mustard seed. Classic bread-and-butter pickles ready for jars, no pressure canning required.

Oshkinigikwe is a Native American tomato stew with shallots, cucumber, and corn flour. A simple, plant-based dish thickened naturally with just seven ingredients.

A refreshingly fresh summer cucumber salad. Great for a hot day!

Crispy golden fried tofu stuffed with crunchy bean sprouts and cucumber, drizzled with a fiery chili-peanut sauce. This classic Malaysian street food favorite is vegetarian, packed with bold Southeast Asian flavors, and ready in minutes.

Gado Gado (Mixed Vegetables with Peanut Sauce) recipe