Verrine fraicheur: cucumber, yogurt and smoked salmon

August 19, 2009

verrine smoked salmon cucumber apple yogurt

Verrine fraicheur: cucumber, yogurt and smoked salmon

It’s been so hot since I’ve returned from France that the oven has remained unusually quiet. Almost untouched — beside the berry sabayon au gratin and coconut macaroons I made (and that’s because I was too bored, upset to feel stuck inside all day.) So I am patiently (and that’s saying a lot!) waiting for the cooler days to come. Counting them, one by one. Un, deux, trois, quatre….reloading the weather forecast page on my laptop every time I walk by, with the hope that it’s a mistake, that they‘ve made a mistake, that tomorrow, the temperatures will be bearable, and life will resume its course. Quietly.

Because this heat is severe and aggressive, and when I think about it, this is what I dislike about summer. When it’s too much of everything: too much noise, too much heat, too much AC — and an obvious lack of fresh clean air. I am trying not to miss the cherry trees in my parents’ garden too much, but frankly, it’s hard not to. They were so relaxing and soft, ces arbres. So quiet and tranquil.

It’s no surprise then that after I put Lulu to bed tonight, I felt exhausted. She was exhausted too. At first, I thought it was the jet lag still playing on us. But in fact, I know that it’s the heat that sucked the last bit of my energy.

I am not trying to complain. There are many worse things than reading 95 F on the thermometer. Sometimes I hate being so affected by this sacrée chaleur (damned heat). But I am looking forward to the early fall when I can use my oven again. When I feel like it.

No wonder that I felt like preparing a cold verrine for dinner. To start. Something simple to make, no fuss, a dish refreshing to eat on the porch with my feet dipped in Lulu’s pool, trying to feel better.

I started with grated cucumber sprinkled with salt to release some water. Then, I added local radishes, sticks of apple and plain yogurt. With a drizzle of lime juice and one of olive oil, more yogurt and slices of smoked salmon, I had food perfectly right to cool off. My dinner.

Still hoping for the cooler days to finally arrive, and for summer to go away with its luggage of unwelcomed heat.

I’ll just have, once again, to reload the weather page before going to bed. Hoping!

Note that this verrine also makes a lovely and pretty appetizer for a casual dinner with friends.

verrine smoked salmon cucumber yogurt apple radish

Verrine fraicheur: Cucumber, yogurt and smoked salmon verrine

(For 4 verrines)

You need:

  • 1 cucumber, peeled and seeded
  • Salt
  • Lime juice
  • 1 tablespoon olive oil + more to drizzle
  • 1/2 apple (green or pink lady)
  • 4 pink radishes, cut in small sticks
  • 1 tablespoon + 6 tablespoons plain creamlike yogurt
  • 1 tablespoon chopped fresh mint
  • 1 tablespoon chopped dill
  • 4 slices of smoked salmon, diced (try to choose a mild one, not too salty
  • Cracked red peppercorns

Steps:

  • Grate the cucumber and place it in a bowl. Sprinkle with salt and let rest on the side for 30 minutes.
  • Cut the apple in small sticks and drizzle with lime juice to prevent oxidation. Transfer to a bowl. Press on the cucumber with the tip of your fingers to squeeze out the excess water. Combine with the apple and radish sticks.
  • Add the fresh herbs, 1 tablespoon yogurt* and the olive oil. No need to add more salt as the cucumber is already seasoned.
  • Divide between four glasses.
  • Top with 2 tablespoons of yogurt in each glass and finish with the diced smoked salmon.
  • Drizzle with olive oil and top with cracked red peppercorns. Serve with more lime juice to taste. Accompany with bread sticks.

    • *I use a full fat velouté style plain yogurt. I particularly like the Traderspoint creamery brand. The yogurt is made with organic milk from grass fed cows.

Le coin français
Verrine fraicheur avec concombre, yaourt et saumon fumé

(Pour 4 verrines)

Ingrédients :

  • 1 concombre, pelé et égrainé
  • Sel
  • Jus de citron vert
  • 1 càs d’huile d’olive + pour servir
  • 1/2 pomme (verte ou type pink lady)
  • 4 radis roses, coupés en petits bâtonnets
  • 1 càs + 6 càs de yaourt nature velouté
  • 1 càs de menthe hachée
  • 1 càs d’aneth hachée
  • 4 tranches de saumon fumé, coupées en petits dés (préférez un saumon peu salé)
  • Baies roses pilées

Etapes :

  • Râpez le concombre et placez-le dans un bol. Ajoutez une pincée de sel et laissez dégorger pendant 30 minutes.
  • Coupez la pomme en bâtonnets et arrosez d’un file t de jus de citron vert pour éviter qu’elle ne s’oxyde. Enlevez l’excédent d’eau du concombre en pressant légèrement du bout des doigts. Ajoutez à la pomme et aux radis.
  • Ajoutez les herbes, 1 càs de yaourt et l’huile d’olive. Pas besoin de saler car le concombre est déjà salé.
  • Divisez entre 4 petits verres.
  • Ajoutez 2 càs de yaourt dans chaque verre et continuez avec le saumon fumé.
  • Arrosez d’un filet d’huile d’olive et ajoutez les baies roses. Servez avec plus de jus de citron vert, selon goût et servez avec des gressins.
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Tagged as: Appetizers , Fish , Gluten Free , Salad
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45 Comments »

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  1. Your photography is so outstanding!

    Comment by Nicole — On August, 19th, 2009 at 10:13 pm

  2. Again, beautiful photos Béa, so soothing, so refreshing, cool. I agree with you completely, summer has definitely worn out its welcome. The first day of autumn is almost four weeks away. Looking forward to the days of sweaters, apple strudel and spice cakes!

    Comment by valérie-jeanne — On August, 19th, 2009 at 11:09 pm

  3. I’ve been a follower of your work! Absolutely love your food, styling and photography! I’m definitely going to try this out once I’m home soon! A perfect meal for our tropical climate. Thanks for sharing!

    Comment by Pei-Lin — On August, 20th, 2009 at 12:48 am

  4. I hate summer and the heat and the noise and the AC too!!!!! Move to England, excessive heat is not a problem we often have here ;) ))

    Comment by Ales — On August, 20th, 2009 at 1:45 am

  5. I lived in the east for many years and my recommendation for dealing with the heat is to wear one’s bathing suit all day long, stepping into the shower to re-wet it whenever it gets dry. The evaporation from the swimsuit keeps you cool all day, even when doing housework! :-) Yes, you do get a reputation for being a little nutty.

    Comment by Zoomie — On August, 20th, 2009 at 2:00 am

  6. Très sympa cette verrine :) Moi aussi, je ne m’approche pas trop du four dernièrement, il fait vraiment trop chaud actuellement… Mais je sais qu’au mois de novembre par exemple je vais regretter cette météo ;)
    Comme d’habitude superbes photos Béa!

    Comment by Bea — On August, 20th, 2009 at 2:15 am

  7. Superbe! Le genre de chose que j’ai envie de manger actuellement, du frais, du léger, du craquant :)

    Comment by Botacook — On August, 20th, 2009 at 3:04 am

  8. Très appetissant! J’ai fait le même type de recette cette semaine, mais je n’avais pas pensé à utiliser des pommes. La prochaine fois!
    PS : 35° à Paris aujourd’hui… C’est dur, il n’y a pas d’air frais, et comme je ne peux pas faire de courants d’air, aucun moyen de rafraichir mon appart!

    Comment by Mélanie — On August, 20th, 2009 at 3:06 am

  9. I love verrines! It’s such a trend in France.
    Your recipe looks delish!! :)

    Comment by mycookinghut — On August, 20th, 2009 at 3:52 am

  10. les photos sont superbes, on a vraiment envie d’y plonger une fourchette, surtout en ce moment

    Comment by chapot — On August, 20th, 2009 at 4:17 am

  11. Wow, just beautiful photographs! Always inspiring….

    Comment by Julia @ Mélanger — On August, 20th, 2009 at 5:16 am

  12. En ce moment à portée de main je garde un brumisateur, si rafraîchissant. Pchiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiit, je t’en envoie un peu. Tes verrines me semblent effectivement idéales pour un apéritif avec les amis, chic et so cute ! J’adore !

    Comment by Sophie — On August, 20th, 2009 at 5:59 am

  13. Tu as trouvé le cocktail fraicheur parfait: l’eau du concombre adjointe à l’acidité des pommes! Une recette vitaminée qui plus est qui doit te donner la force de finir la journée:)
    Courage pour cette chaleur

    Comment by L'Atelier Océane — On August, 20th, 2009 at 6:18 am

  14. Heat will do that to you. This summer I have spent so much time indoors… I can’t take the heat. No wonder you felt like a refreshing verrine. Looks amazing!

    Comment by Aran — On August, 20th, 2009 at 6:33 am

  15. I’m living in Boston, so I definitely share your feelings about the heat. I get tired even after a good night’s sleep just because it so darn hot. And no AC doesn’t help, either. Regardless, I must say I’ve had a fun time finding things to do indoors. Museums are my best bet.

    Comment by Michelle — On August, 20th, 2009 at 6:54 am

  16. wow~~ so love it!!

    Comment by YOYO love cooking — On August, 20th, 2009 at 7:57 am

  17. Cette jolie verrine me plaît bien et j’en ferais mon dîner ce midi car la journée s’annonce encore chaude… un peu moins que le week-end dernier mais pas assez fraîche à mon goût!

    Comment by Miss Diane — On August, 20th, 2009 at 8:07 am

  18. Quel délice rafraîchissant! J’aime l’idée d’incorporer des pommes. Quant à moi, je me nourris de gaspacho depuis le début de la semaine: il fait chaud à Montréal aussi!

    Comment by Valérie — On August, 20th, 2009 at 8:58 am

  19. breathtaking photos!

    Comment by peachkins — On August, 20th, 2009 at 9:02 am

  20. The heat can really suck the energy out of one…I know how that feels. Hang in there! Meanwhile, enjoy this lovely cooling meal…it’s perfect for the heat!

    Comment by joey — On August, 20th, 2009 at 10:03 am

  21. What a lovely and elegant way to “beat the heat”! Here in Florida we have had no respite from the 90+ temps for months! I would be happy to make such a perfect summer meal!

    Comment by Susan at SGCC — On August, 20th, 2009 at 10:34 am

  22. Looks lovely…wished I liked smoked salmon…perhaps I will make it someday with Tea-smoked salmon!

    Comment by Ozoz — On August, 20th, 2009 at 11:24 am

  23. [...] Hanna posted Verrine fraicheur: cucumber, yogurt and smoked salmon [...]

    Pingback by Moonlit Minds - »sketches in the wind« » Blog Archive » Daily Digest for August 20th — On August, 20th, 2009 at 1:10 pm

  24. That looks so cool- and I mean refreshing cool as well as cool cool. I’m in Florida and today was a doozie heat-wise. This cucumber/salmon radish dish in yogurt will hit the spot tonight!

    Comment by Barbara — On August, 20th, 2009 at 3:44 pm

  25. What a stunningly refreshing dish! And of course, beautiful as always. I’m glad to hear I’m not the only one obsessively refreshing weather.com…and not the only one missing my parents’ lovely garden!

    Comment by Laura — On August, 20th, 2009 at 4:07 pm

  26. I’m making this for my guests this weekend. Perfect for the 40+ temperatures!

    Comment by cherie — On August, 20th, 2009 at 10:30 pm

  27. Very summery!

    Comment by Nutmeg Nanny — On August, 20th, 2009 at 11:22 pm

  28. How refreshing. Been checking in on your blog for awhile and am finally peeking my head out.

    I’m looking forward to fall, too. Apples, pumpkins, pears, soups, fires in the fireplace. Sounds great.

    Comment by The Leftoverist — On August, 21st, 2009 at 1:18 am

  29. This blows my mind! So fresh, so simple, so sophisticated-looking. Saving this one for summer for sure.

    Comment by TheWoman @ Creative Pot — On August, 21st, 2009 at 4:16 am

  30. i love the summer but i cannot stand the heat!! :( it upsets me thoroughly. this, however, has brightened up my day. so beautiful and i bet it tastes gorgeous.

    Comment by diva — On August, 21st, 2009 at 10:07 am

  31. This recipe is perfection on a day like today and I happen to have most of the ingredients on hand. Splendid!

    Comment by Jennifer — On August, 21st, 2009 at 11:40 am

  32. Love your recipes and photography. It inspires my own! Truly one of the best food blogs on the web. Thank you for sharing your many talents.

    Comment by Susan — On August, 21st, 2009 at 4:51 pm

  33. hahaha, you are so cute!!!! I do that too with the weather page, hoping it’d changing… for destinations I’m about to visit :] but you know? it’s not all that accurate,,, so half of the luck is on your side!

    Comment by Jean — On August, 22nd, 2009 at 12:51 am

  34. Beautiful photos as always…thanks.

    Comment by El — On August, 22nd, 2009 at 4:49 pm

  35. OMG! That looks so good I have to try that out! I also love Traderspoint Creamery Yogurt its so creamy and tangy especially the Raspberry flavored yogurt. I was thinking of making a spice yogurt cake with it any ideas?

    Comment by Austin — On August, 22nd, 2009 at 9:51 pm

  36. La photo de la recette est superbe et très alléchante ! Et je ne parle pas des photos de la France, j’adore celle avec l’eau, elle me donne trop envie de me poser sur une couverture au bord de l’eau !

    Comment by Maybe — On August, 23rd, 2009 at 11:29 am

  37. Thanks so much, once again, everyone! I am still wishing for the heat to go away. Is it also as bad wherever you are?

    Austin, these yogurts are really good. I must say that my favorite remains the plain, also because it is whole milk ;-) I am sure you can use the yogurt in a cake with a mild batter. What about a vanilla cake with the addition of the raspberry-flavored yogurt? Could be nice! Let me know how it turns out, whatever you end up making!

    Comment by Béa — On August, 24th, 2009 at 6:58 am

  38. on my list!

    Comment by Ellja — On August, 24th, 2009 at 7:59 am

  39. I couldn’t help laughing when I read you’re comments about the heat. I’m in Miami, Florida and the heat down here during the middle of the day is unbearable (the high humidity is suffocating). Our winter also is non-existent, except for maybe one week out of the year at most! (I’m exaggerating, but that’s what it feels like)

    As always, love your pics and recipes. Tres belle!

    Comment by eileen — On August, 24th, 2009 at 6:20 pm

  40. Wow. Living in AZ I can seldom get fresh seafood, (at least any that I trust) but we CAN get smoked salmon here. (Also, our temps have been well over 100 F, as usual, during the summer. Last week it was 118 F. AC is a MUST here, I could not exist without it. I always wonder how the first immigrants managed here, long before electricity. In fact, there were always indigenous peoples here, long before the ‘European invasions’. We (modern people) are such ‘wusses’. LOL! Anyway, thanks for the recipe, I will try this tomorrow. It sounds wonderful.

    Comment by Carolina — On August, 25th, 2009 at 12:01 am

  41. Gosh, 95F is not that hot! I wouldn’t even put the air-con on at that temperature, unless I lived in a very box-like apartment with no means of natural air flow.

    I did grow up in Sydney, Australia so I’m used to hot summers. A hot day would be more like 110F.

    I’m in San Francisco right now and it’s cold and foggy. I’d happily trade places with you.

    Comment by Caitlin - Roaming Tales — On August, 25th, 2009 at 11:50 pm

  42. Caitlin,

    Well it’s the humidity and the heat that I find a killer! I am just not handling it well. Never grew up with it as it is in New England!

    Comment by Béa — On August, 26th, 2009 at 6:48 am

  43. Hi Bea,

    I absolutely love your blog. When I read your sentence: – “But I am looking forward to the early fall when I can use my oven again. When I feel like it.” – I had to smile, because that is exactly what I have been thinking for the last couple of days.

    Thank you for having such a wonderful blog.

    Nathalie

    Comment by Nathalie — On August, 26th, 2009 at 7:26 am

  44. Now you know why I am miserable here from May til September but again this past Christmas we were in shorts and t-shirts here in SC. I am like you, I overdose on too much heat, A/C, humidity, noise, etc…but I bet these would reconcile me with the world! Gorgeous!

    Comment by Tartelette — On August, 27th, 2009 at 4:11 pm

  45. [...] Third Course: Smoked Salmon with Apples, Cucumber, Radishes, and Yogurt. We whipped this out in maybe ten minutes and unfortunately did not get the proportions right. This little yogurt mix had potential, but needed more yogurt and salmon. This tasted pretty good with bread though! Recipe stolen from http://www.latartinegourmande.com. [...]

    Pingback by Playing Restaurant, for Anita’s Birthday « nekoballs — On February, 8th, 2010 at 1:44 pm

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