Recipe: Yogurt Cucumber Salad (Laban bi Khyar)

the appetizer:

Classic Lebanese Cuisine: 170 Fresh and Healthy Mediterranean Favorites by Kamal Al-Faqih, includes recipes like Lentil Soup with Ruby Swiss Chard and Lemon (Adas bi Hamood); Lamb Kibbi Tray (Kibbi bi Saniyeh); Yogurt Cucumber Salad (Laban bi Khyar); and Lamb Turbans (Lahm bi Ajeen).

Cookbook

Yogurt Cucumber Salad

Laban bi Khyar (leb-ban bee khyar)

Serves 4 (About 1-1/2 cups)

The cool texture of the cucumber and the aromatic scent of the mint swimming in the garlic-infused yogurt is so refreshing. This salad is excellent with kibbi trays, Chicken with Spiced Rice (page 75 of the book), or Vegetable-Stuffed Cabbage Rolls (page 161), to name a few combinations. It is similar to the Greek version known as tzatziki, the Persian variety called must-o-kheyar, and the Indian version called raita.

Specialty ingredients: Tahini, found in specialty markets or online.

Special equipment: A pestle (a garlic press will do).

Prepare ahead: The yogurt can be prepared up to 1 day in advance and stored in the refrigerator. Add the cucumber as directed.

For the Salad

1 large clove garlic
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup plain yogurt (regular, reduced-fat, or fat-free)
1/2 teaspoon tahini (mix well before using)
1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh mint leaves
or 1/4 teaspoon dried mint flakes
1 cup cucumber (quartered and sliced 1/4 inch)

(You can omit the tahini if you do not have it on hand. It serves as a binder.)

To Prepare the Salad

Place the garlic and salt in a medium bowl. Mash the garlic to a pulp using a pestle. Add the yogurt, tahini, and mint. Mix well. Cover and refrigerate until needed.

Peel the cucumber lengthwise, leaving every other peel of skin on the cucumber for a striped appearance. Quarter it lengthwise, then cut each quarter into pieces 1/4 inch thick. Cover and refrigerate until needed. Add the cucumber to the yogurt mixture just before serving.

Selecting Cucumbers

Choose narrow, firm ones with a solid green color and without signs of yellowing or puffiness. English cucumbers are an excellent choice for this salad.