Radish, Cucumber and Yogurt /Sour Cream Salad

I woke up yesterday and, just after my obligatory coffee fix, all I could think of were pink radishes. As if hypnotised, I went to the market, bought two huge bunches of beautiful radishes, came back home, opened the fridge, took a cucumber, sliced it, then sliced some radishes, added soured milk (I had been craving this one too, see the explanation below), salted everything and literally threw myself on it (luckily, after a while, I controlled myself enough to save some of it for the photo).

I think I should listen more often to my cravings because the salad was exactly what I wanted for a sunny spring day. It was crunchy, refreshing, tangy and slightly peppery thanks to the radishes. It was inspired by a cucumber salad (vaguely Polish) I sometimes prepare, but the radishes made all the difference. The second batch I made also yesterday for dinner was a perfect side dish with fiery fried rice. Given the sour milk/cream cooling properties, I’m sure it will go well with any hot dish.

TIPS: I usually prepare this salad with sour milk which is almost as thick as sour cream (at least the one I buy), but is low-fat. You can use sour cream or natural yogurt or, even better, Greek yogurt instead (I would add a dash of lemon juice to the yogurt to obtain the slightly sour result).

This salad should be made just before you serve it, otherwise the vegetables will render liquid and the “sauce” will get watery.

Preparation: 10 minutes

Ingredients (serves one):

6-7 big red radishes

1/3 long cucumber

3 heaped tablespoons sour milk/cream or yogurt

salt

Cut the cucumber in four lengthwise and then into thin slices.

Cut the radishes into thin slices.

Combine all the ingredients in a bowl and serve.

 

36 Replies to “Radish, Cucumber and Yogurt /Sour Cream Salad”

  1. That does sound like a wonderful spring salad, Sissi. Is soured milk like buttermilk (also lower in fat than four cream, but not as thick)? I too adore radishes for the same reasons, crunchy, peppery, fresh and slightly spicy!

    1. Thank you so much, Eva. The sour milk I buy looks almost like sour cream, it has a creamy consistency, not like buttermilk which is liquid. It is only slightly less dense than sour cream (but maybe it depends on the country where it’s produced?). I use it all the time as a guiltless sour cream substitute ๐Ÿ˜‰

  2. Sounds very Polish (sans radish), but the Polish version is more soupy. It’s called chlodnik, which means “cooler”. I’ve recently discovered my Mum’s best friend has actually been adding radish to hers. I like this salad version though, more veg!

    1. Thank you, Martyna. Actually I thought of it as a modified version of “mizeria” which I always make with thick sour milk instead of cream… I have always hated all kinds of chlodnik as a child, but now that I’m adult I started liking these cold soups a lot!

    1. Hi, Barb. Thank you for the compliment. I have always loved radishes, since I can remember. It would be one of the healthy snacks always waiting for me in the fridge, as soon as radishes appeared. As a child I loved strong tasting food and I think I already told you I am still surprised that so many blogging mums have to put less chili in meals for their children (not babies of course). I have always loved spicy and hot flavours.

  3. My mother used to grow radishes and cucumbers when I was growing up so we ate them often. They look very pretty sliced together because of the colours. Lovely flavours and textures too xx

  4. I was wondering what sour milk is, then read your notes about what to substitute with. It’s totally weird that you had such a strong craving, though I had a good belly laugh reading the post, because your craving is a very healthy one, though mine usually lean towards ice cream or cake, haha!

    1. Hi, Jeno. I also often have cravings such as chocolate or worse… I am very glad when I feel the need to prepare something healthy!

  5. All these sudden cravings? Hmm ….
    But this would be a perfect salad for our crazy hot weather here.

    1. Haha! No, it’s absolutely not what you think! I have often weird cravings… I suppose I am not able to control my tastebuds. I’m sure it would be perfect for a very hot weather: sour cream or milk or yogurt have cooling properties.

  6. Haha, as you know, I get those food attacks too… completely overcome by desire and it’s always very specific and non-negotiable. Great that it involved radish in this case (low downside ;-)). I love the idea of using a creamy yogurt with a splash of vinegar for this salad. It’s wonderful in its simplicity Sissi. Got to go get me some radish! :).

    1. Thank you so much, Kelly. I’m also happy it was radish this time and not chocolate or for example deep-fried shrimps (it was last weekend). The funny thing is that I often have cravings for sour food.

  7. Super easy! From understanding the explanation of sour milk, I am not sure if we can find it here. Maybe European specialty store might have. This one seems very refreshing and spring/summer day it is a nice cooling effect on your body! It’s cold here once again. I can’t keep up with warm-cold-warm-cold. It’s good that your craving is healthy one. I am like Jeno too – my cravings tend to be not healthy one… at least 3 out of 5, I’m eating some sort of sweets or greasy food. =P

    1. Thank you, Nami. Sour milk tastes almost like sour cream; it’s just low-fat. The best substitute would be sour cream which I think is easier to get worldwide. You know, I love sour cream with hot Korean dishes. Here it’s been warm for two days but now it’s raining again ๐Ÿ™ The weather is awful this year!
      As for cravings, I also often have very unhealthy cravings (last week I simply had to deep-fry something and now I’m craving korokke…).

  8. when I first saw “sour milk” I’m like “?!”. and then I realised yogurt is basically that, kind of! reminds me of a super chunky tzatziki, good one sissi!

    1. THank you, Shuhan. In fact the sour milk I buy is closer to sour cream than to yogurt in both texture and taste (more tangy than yogurt), but it’s low in fat.

  9. I’ve been craving radishes myself too, funnily enough ๐Ÿ˜€

    We bought some this evening and I just broke some off immediately and started eating them, lol ๐Ÿ˜€ I love the crunch, and this salad looks full of fresh flavours and crunch – cucumber, radish, yummy.

    I’ve never tried sour milk – is it just like yoghurt?

    1. Thank you, Charles. I see I’m not the only one! I often crave some seasonal vegetables and sometimes go to the market only for one fruit or vegetable kind I’ve been thinking about for days… Sour milk is like sour cream but less fatty. The one I buy is almost as thick as cream.

    1. Thank you, Robert-Gilles. The funny thing is that sour cream or milk are excellent with very hot Korean dishes (or Japanese because I make also Japanese dishes in hot versions…). If I put it in a bento, I will make an additional one for you ๐Ÿ˜‰

  10. I love radishes but the husband, not so much. However, I bet he would love this salad! He does like creamy sour type dressing and so do I. Thanks for sharing this!

  11. Dear Sissi,

    This is a very cooling salad which reminds me of north Indian cuisine where there is plain yoghurt and cucumber salad. I would love this after some spicy curry. Great tip about preparing it just before serving.

    1. Thank you, Chopinand. It’s true it’s a bit similar to an Indian salad although also to a Polish salad. Funny, isn’t it?

Comments are closed.