Recipe: Cucumber and Radish Salad (2024)

This fresh, zesty salad is full of produce I love, from refreshing cucumber to the peppery bite of radishes and arugula. It's the perfect side for all your summertime barbecues!

However, what really sets this salad apart is the nuts, seeds, and toasty macadamia nut dressing. While the misguided nutrition experts of the '80s preached a fat-free diet as the way to shed pounds, they had it dead wrong. In fact, now we know that your body requires healthy fats in your diet in order to burn your own fat reserves! The fastest way to ensure you maintain that winter weight is to eat low-fat…

The key word here is “healthy” fats – not all fats are created equal, and once-trendy vegetable and canola oils carry high levels of omega-6 fatty acids. While your body needs some omega-6s, too many can result in chronic inflammation, elevated harmful cholesterol, and an increased risk of coronary disease.

Instead of eating oils heavy in omega-6s, your menu choices should focus on omega-3 fatty acids. They're naturally anti-inflammatory, meaning they can help with everything from brain health to lowering your risk of a heart attack. (To find out more and get the hard science, check out this article: What Are Omega-3s and Why Do You Need Them?)

And guess what has plenty of superfood omega 3s? The nuts, seeds, and dressing on this fantastic salad! One more reason to take advantage of your local farmer's market and put together this stunning side. Or add a cup of steamed quinoa and top it with grilled chicken breast to turn it into a main dish that's the star of the show.

Want even more yummy options for your next backyard BBQ? Try adding succulent BBQ Glazed Chickenand juicy Tex-Mex Burgers with Avocado Salsato this vibrant Cucumber Radish Salad. Then finish off your feast with fruity Blueberry Sorbet.

Recipe: Cucumber and Radish Salad (1)

Recipe: Cucumber and Radish Salad (2)

July 24, 2016

This salad is light and refreshing with a satisfying crunch. It can easily be made ahead – just store the dressing separately.

Virgin Diet compliant: Cycles 1, 2, and 3
Sugar Impact Diet compliant: Cycles 1, 2, and 3

  • Prep: 15 mins
  • Yields: Makes 2 main dish servings or 4 sides

Ingredients

4 mini or Persian cucumbers, unpeeled, ends trimmed, cut into ¼-inch-thick slices

4 radishes, sliced

2 cups baby arugula

1/3 cup thinly sliced red onion

2 tbsp coarsely chopped raw walnuts

2 tbsp coarsely chopped raw pecans

1/2 tsp sesame seeds

1/2 tsp chia seeds

2 tbsp Toasted Macadamia Nut Dressing (recipe below)

chopped fresh dill to serve (optional)

Directions

1Combine the cucumbers, radishes, arugula, onion, walnuts, pecans, sesame seeds, and chia seeds in a bowl.

2Add the dressing and toss well to coat.

3Divide between two plates and serve, sprinkled with fresh dill if desired.

This recipe is part of the Backyard BBQ menu, with BBQ Glazed Chicken, Tex-Mex Burgers with Avocado Salsa, Cucumber & Radish Salad, and Blueberry Sorbet. Check out theBackyard BBQ Menu and Guidefor links to all the recipes, plus more handy tips and activities for the best backyard BBQ ever!

Originally published in The Virgin Diet Cookbook, Grand Central Life & Style, 2014.

For more healthy, tasty recipes go tojjvirgin.com/recipes.

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Nutrition Facts

Serving Size4

Calories272

Sodium169 mg

Protein6 grams

Total Fat24 grams

Saturated Fat2 grams

Total Carbohydrates11 grams

Dietary Fiber5 grams

Recipe: Cucumber and Radish Salad (3)

Recipe: Cucumber and Radish Salad (4)

July 24, 2016

Macadamia nuts have a buttery taste and are a rich source of heart-healthy energy. Keep this dressing in a tightly covered container in the refrigerator for up to 3 weeks.

Virgin Diet compliant: Cycles 1, 2, and 3
Sugar Impact Diet compliant: Cycles 1, 2, and 3

  • Prep: 5 mins
  • Cook: 5 mins
  • Yields: 1/2 cup

Ingredients

1/3 cup macadamia nut oil

1/4 cup raw macadamia nuts

2 tbsp white wine vinegar

1 tsp Dijon mustard

1/8 tsp monk fruit extract

1/2 tsp sea salt

1/8 tsp freshly ground black pepper

Directions

1Heat 1 tablespoon of the oil in a small skillet over medium heat.

2Add the macadamia nuts and cook, stirring occasionally, until lightly toasted, 4 to 5 minutes.

3Transfer to a bowl and let cool.

4Coarsely chop the nuts.

5Combine the remaining oil, the vinegar, mustard, monk fruit extract, salt, and pepper in another bowl.

6Stir in the cooled nuts and any oil that accumulated at the bottom of the bowl.

This recipe is part of the Backyard BBQ menu, with BBQ Glazed Chicken, Tex-Mex Burgers with Avocado Salsa, Cucumber & Radish Salad, and Blueberry Sorbet. Check out theBackyard BBQ Menu and Guidefor links to all the recipes, plus more handy tips and activities for the best backyard BBQ ever!

Originally published in The Virgin Diet Cookbook, Grand Central Life & Style, 2014.

For more healthy, tasty recipes go tojjvirgin.com/recipes.

close full screen

00:00

Nutrition Facts

Serving Size1 tablespoon

Calories230

Sodium320 mg

Protein1 gram

Total Fat25 grams

Saturated Fat3 grams

Total Carbohydrates2 grams

Dietary Fiber1 gram

Thanks so much for reading this post! And please visit my Facebook Lifestyle Community here, where you'll meet supportive, like-minded folks for your health and wellness journey.

Recipe: Cucumber and Radish Salad (2024)

FAQs

Is it okay to eat radishes and cucumbers together? ›

But do you know that cucumber and radish should not be eaten together because cucumber contains ascorbate, which acts to absorb vitamin C? For this reason, cucumber and radish should not be eaten together.

How do you keep cucumber salad from getting soggy? ›

These vegetables are usually cooked before eating, and salting helps prevent them from getting mushy and bland. According to America's Test Kitchen, "Salting these watery vegetables draws out extra water and flavor molecules.

Is cucumber enough for salad? ›

No, cucumber is not a salad, but it's an ingredient for salad. Salads are healthy. And cucumber has many health benefits and you can eat cucumber raw.

Can we eat eggs with radishes? ›

Radish salad will perfectly complement and add nutrients to your lunch or dinner. The combination of radishes, cucumbers and eggs goes well with different sauces, herbs, mixed green salad, arugula. Try experimenting, create many interesting variations of this dish and decide on your favourite combination!

When should you not eat cucumbers? ›

When cucumbers have a slimy film or start to get mushy, that's a sign that they've gone bad and should be composted. “Cucumbers have a high moisture content. That is what makes them a great hydrating food.

Why you must not eat raw cucumber with meals? ›

According to Reema Kinjalkar, a nutritionist at Urban Platter, cucurbitacin imparts bitter taste. Some people with weak digestive health may find it hard to digest cucumber due to this compound, as it known to induce indigestion problems such as gas and bloating.

What can you put on cucumbers to make them taste good? ›

Salt – It draws moisture out of the cucumbers, giving them a crisp, pickle-like texture. It also makes the flavors in this salad pop! Fresh dill and chives – Dill is a classic ingredient in a cucumber onion salad, as its sour flavor pairs perfectly with the sweet and tangy vinegar dressing.

Why is my cucumber salad bitter? ›

Cucumbers—and other members of the pumpkin and gourd family—produce a compound called cucurbitacins that can impart a bitter taste. The amount of cucurbitacins a cucumber contains is increased when the plant faces adverse growing conditions, like a lack of water or excessive heat.

Why are my cucumbers slimy in my salad? ›

The light-white or clear coating of slime you may find on your cucumbers is a sign that the rotting process has begun, and it's just matter of time before they totally spoil.

What kind of cucumber is best for salads? ›

Persian Cucumbers

They have a mild flavor and thin skins, so they're great sliced or chopped for salads and snacking, or even tossed in the blender to make a Spicy Cucumber Margarita. And because they're available year-round, Persian cukes are another good choice for pickling.

What should not be mixed with radish? ›

Never eat radish and cucumber together as the ascorbate in cucumber can interfere with the absorption of vitamin C.

Are radishes good for your bowels? ›

Improves bowel health: Because radish is rich in fiber, it adds considerable bulk to bowel movements that alleviates constipation symptoms. Studies have revealed that radish leaves that contain sulfurous compounds may prevent parasitic stomach infection and eliminate the symptoms of diarrhea.

What are radishes good to eat with? ›

You might think a salad is the only way to enjoy radishes, but you can eat traditional red and daikon radishes raw or cooked. Here are a few ways to enjoy radishes: Add radishes to sandwiches, grain bowls, tacos, or hot dishes like stir-fries and soups. Braise or sauté the greens or add them raw to salads or pesto.

Are radishes good to eat raw? ›

Radishes can be eaten raw, roasted, braised or pickled. Spring radishes may be best when eaten raw, sliced on top of a green salad, grated in a slaw, or dipped in a bit of salt or other dressing. They can be enjoyed year-round when roasted, braised or pickled.

Are there foods that should not be eaten together? ›

Avoid combining starches and proteins. Avoid combining starches with acidic foods. Avoid combining different types of protein. Consume dairy products only on an empty stomach, especially milk.

References

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