Tugra Mash Cucumber Salad
by Cindi Sutter, Founder & Editor
True to its heritage as a 19th Century Sultan’s residence, Ciragan Palace Kempinski is a leader in reviving historic Ottoman fare for modern taste buds. Two of the hotel’s famous salad recipes – Tugra Mash Cucumber Salad and click for Avocado Salad – are easy to prepare at home. With a refreshing taste of Istanbul’s summer flavors and traditional ingredients, these light and healthy dishes will make you dream of palace gardens and sunlit strolls along the Bosporus.
Ingredients
500 g. (17.6 Oz.) young cucumbers
1 pt. (2 cups) plain clotted yogurt
200 g. (7.1 Oz.) fresh pomegranate seeds
5 cl. (1.7 fl. Oz.) sour pomegranate juice
50 g. (1.8 Oz.) whole pistachios shelled
50 ml. (1.7 fl. Oz.) extra virgin olive oil
10 fresh mint leaves
1 clove garlic, mashed (optional)
Salt and pepper to taste
Instructions
Mix the clotted yogurt, salt and black pepper in a bowl.
Slice and mash the young cucumbers until there are no shreds remaining.
Mix the mashed cucumber and the yogurt.
Scoop the mixture onto a serving plate. Sprinkle pomegranate seeds, pistachios, and mint leaves.
Gently drizzle with olive oil and pomegranate juice to taste. Serve salad chilled.