As temperatures rise, incorporate cucumber in your diet with these easy recipes

Kakdicha kordaINGREDIENTS 2 medium cucumbers peeled and grated 13 cup chickpea flourFor tempering 2 tbsp groundnut oil 14 tsp mustard seeds A fat pinch of strong asafoetida 1 green chili chopped 12 tsp turmeric powder 14 tsp red chili powder Salt to tasteKeertida PhadkeMETHODSqueeze out the water from the grated cucumbers and make a paste with 13 cup of chickpea flour You might need to add more water depending on how juicy the cucumbers are and how runny you prefer the korda Tip the grated cucumber in a pan and sauteacute on mediumhigh heat for about five minutes mdash since this vegetable can be consumed raw all you want to do is soften it Add salt to taste Now add the chickpea flour and combine If you are making korda for the first time adjust the water once you sauteacute the mixture for a bit Cover and cook for six to seven minutes Serve with rice or rotisKakdicha kayrasPics CourtesyKeertida PhadkeINGREDIENTS 2 cups tavsa cucumber the dark green variant For the mustard dressing 2 tbsp red mustard seeds 12 to 1 tsp jaggery 12 tsp red chili powderFor tempering 1 tbsp groundnut oil 12 tsp mustard seeds 1012 fenugreek seeds A pinch of asafoetida 18 tsp turmeric powder 12 tbsp roasted and ground peanuts optionalMETHODPrepare the mustard powder by grinding two tbsp of red mustard seeds along with 12 tsp jaggery and two to three tbsp of water In a bowl whisk the mixture till it gets frothy and smells zippy In another bowl combine two cups of deseeded and chopped cucumber with 12 tsp red chili powder and 12 to 1 tsp jaggery with salt according to taste Add the mustard dressing over the cucumbers and combine Now prepare a tempering of 1 tbsp groundnut oil 12 tsp mustard seeds 10 to 12 fenugreek seeds a pinch of asafoetida 18 tsp turmeric powder and a pinch of red chilli powder Pour this over the cucumber mixture and mix The cucumbers might release water If the final mixture feels too watery add one to two tbsp of roasted and ground peanuts before servingRecipes courtesy Keertida Phadke ChefOther ways to savour the juicy vegetableThe good olrsquo sandwichCut the edges of bread slices and make a mix of cream cheese tuna dill leaves salt and pepper red chilli flakes Spread this mix on the bread cover it with thin slices of cucumber and a healthy sandwich is readyA cooling drinkWith a scrapper make fine slices of cucumber the dark green variant and place them then ice cold water so that they curl up a little Rim your glass with a mix of salt red chilli powder and chaat masala Add soda ice cucumber slices and lemon juice You can add guava juice watermelon juice or kokum juice to incorporate more flavoursHealthy snackTake cucumbers and cut them in half lengthwise Scoop out the seeds with a spoon This exercise should form a long hollow in the cucumber In a separate bowl mix cream cheese onions chopped basil salt and pepper Mix it all well Put the mixture in a piping bag and pipe it out in the cucumber hollow Garnish with spring onions greens and serveTips courtesy Reshma Mane chef