I don’t know who decided that cucumbers were especially cool vegetables, but I suspect he/she may have coined the phrase “cool as a cucumber” after drinking some cucumber juice. This stuff is by far the best way to eat a cucumber. Granted, it takes a little more effort than just dunking slices in salad dressing, but the extra work most definitely pays off. And over ice, this drink finally gives meaning to the expression “cool as a cucumber.”
While we’re finding meaning in expressions, can I discuss a few others with you?
Dollars to Donuts – I heard this for the first time about a week ago, and I am already looking for every opportunity available to work it into conversation. Is it bad that I might actually be happier winning donuts instead of dollars? I wonder in that case if I can still use the phrase…
The Bees Knees – this makes no sense. Absolutely none whatsoever. I don’t even know if bees have knees, or if they do, what could possibly be so great about them. I can tell you right now that if I had wings and could make honey on a whim, I wouldn’t be pointing out my knees as my best feature.
The Cat’s Pajamas – If I ever own a cat again I’m buying it the coolest pajamas you’ve ever seen. And taking at least a million photos.
Brownie Points – I think of s’mores, knot tying and campfire songs when I hear this saying. Does anyone else remember being in the Brownies in Girl Scouts? Anyone?
And from now on, when I hear “cool as a cucumber” I will think of sipping this awesomely green juice. Give it a try, cause seriously, this stuff is the bee’s knees.
Cucumber Juice
Recipe adapted from Sunny Anderson
The only complaint I had about this juice is that it was a little sweet for my taste, so I cut way back on the sugar. Chase also had a great idea – make this without the sugar and freeze into ice cubes. Pour water over the frozen juice and you have some instant cucumber water.
2 English cucumbers
½ cup sugar
2 cups waterPeel the cucumbers, saving the peel. Chop the cucumbers into small pieces. In a medium saucepan, bring the sugar and the water to a boil. Once the sugar has dissolved, add the chopped cucumber flesh and simmer until tender, about 10 minutes. Remove from heat and add in the peels. Blend everything together until smooth, using either an immersion blender or regular blender.
Line a bowl with a cheesecloth. Pour the mixture into the bowl and gather the cheesecloth in one hand to squeeze out all the excess juice. Chill the juice until cool, about 1 hour, and then serve over ice.
{ 27 comments… read them below or add one }
When I was a Brownie, the group leader was a college girl. One day she took off her jeans to show us her socks – thigh high rainbow striped – with toes! They were the bee’s knees.
This is the prettiest drink and I love your photos. I’m going to make this and I know my kids (and me!) will love it.
Here’s some for you “Bigger Fish to Fry”, “Nit Picking”, “Go Banana’s”, and “Peachy Keen”. Gosh, I’ll be think of more all day – thanks ;op
wouldn’t it be better to just run the cucumber through a fruit juicer/juice extractor? i like it this way with some fresh pineapples or even oranges.
I think that would work, but I’m not sure how it would change the flavors since you actually cook the cucumbers in the syrup. I have an extractor though, maybe I’ll give it a try!
I’ve surely never heard of this kind of juice! It looks awesome.
How refreshing. Great summer drink!
It’s funny, my name is Bianca- B for short- so I have been known to say I am the bee’s knee’s on a very regualar occasion. But i never stopped to think, what the hell does that mean.
Cute post!
This is so pretty! I would’ve thought it was going to be pale and clear. I suppose it’s the skin that brightens it up. I have a basket full of cucumbers (not English- very much Southern
) and I’m running out of ideas. So, this makes me happy as a clam. As clams are so obviously happy.
And I was a Brownie!! I had a little brown frock with a sash and a tiny orange scarf or handkerchief– or maybe it was a bow-tie. I also remember some gold lockets that we hung like medals on our sash. I remember having my first s’more with my fellow Brownies. I think I wore knee-highs, too. Ah, childhood.
Wow! This looks very refreshing, Great pix!
Wow, this drink looks so good! I’ll have to give it a try sometime : )
And my hubby and I are the same way about random expressions…one day we looked up tons of them to try and find their origins. Very interesting stuff!
I’m looking forward to using the expression eat crow……I feel like ive had to do it a lot recently
dinner, dresses, decor, and dessert
http://traychic.wordpress.com
http://traychic.wordpress.com
http://traychic.wordpress.com
http://traychic.wordpress.com
This looks super refreshing!
http://www.poolovesboo.blogspot.com
that sounds sooo refreshing right now! I can already see it being poured straight into cool cucumber gimlets
that looks and sounds super refreshing!!
The cucumber juice looks so pretty and refreshing! Just what we need during a heat wave.
it seems to me, the cooking part is used to soften the cucumbers enough to be able to squeeze them. the sugar, to add sweetness, since the water dilutes the cucumber flavor. before having an extractor, we just use a blender to whizz it up, peel included, with some fresh OJ or pineapple and drink it with the pulp and all. good fiber.. but very filling. a juicer is great for the summer. just extract and pour into a glass with ice or pre-chill the fruits first.
cucumber with mint is yummy too! have a great summer!
btw, i love your knife!!!
Refreshing and cool! I like!
Kayenne – thanks for the ideas, I’m definitely going to try them! The cucumber & mint sounds especially refreshing
I bet this would be the bee’s knees with a shot of Hendricks.
This looks delicious! And please get a cat…I want to see funny cat pajama pictures! lol
MMM…this sounds good. Love the cucumber water when I go and get my hair done…water with cucumbers, lemons, and orange slices. Like the idea of having cucumber ice cubes..or even homemade cucumber popsicles!
As someone who a *really* tiny apartment kitchen my best space saving advice is to think outside the kitchen! My kitchen table lives in the living room and the hallway contains a hutch with my plates, dishes, pots and pans because there is just no way they’d fit in the kitchen.
I just tried this with some garden cucumbers. I used 3 as they are smaller than the English ones. I tweaked the ingredients: reduced the sugar to 1/3 c. added some grated ginger and after cooking the cucumbers and before straining I added the juice of 2 limes. I pureed all in the food processor, strained it and it seemed to taste a little flat. I decided to make a cocktail out of part of my juice. I mixed a shot of vodka with part of the juice and another squeeze of lime juice. and poured over ice. I added 2 cubes of candied ginger and the slice of lime to the glass. It makes a nice summer beverage. I may try some fresh mint in the remaining portion of juice. I like the idea of freezing it into cubes. I am wondering if it may have a more pungent fresh cucumber taste if the juice were extracted rather than cooked. I will tinker further as it’s a good way to use too many cucumbers in the garden. Thanks for the idea.
me too
lovely idea the cucumber juice was exquisite i also made some cucumber ice well cruse alll those cucumber pieces but before that leave that don’t cook it so then put the pieces in ice trays put water on top of them and enjoy
This time of year the cukes are growing out our ears and pickles are good but how many jars of pickles are we really going to eat? So, I began juicing the cukes in a “Champion” juicer and usually toss the pulp in the compost. Seven or eight big cukes add up to a few liters of juice to which I add the juice of several limes, 1/4 cup of sugar and about a tablespoon of “tajin”, a Mexican seasoning made with chili, salt, and lime. It’s very good!
{ 2 trackbacks }