Bowl of Uzbek White Cheese Salad
(click to enlarge)

White Cheese Salad


Uzbek   -   Suzmali Kujk Salat
Makes:
Effort:
Sched:
DoAhead:  		 1-1/3 #
**
1-1/2 hr
Yes		 This very herbal salad, based on radishes and cucumbers, is given substance and complexity by Yogurt Cheese. How long it takes to make depends on how finely you cut cukes and radishes. I like a moderate cut.




6
10
1/2
3
1/4
1/4
1
1
1/2
8
oz
oz
t

c
c
T
t
t
oz
Radish red (1)
Cucumbers (2)  
Salt
Scallions
Parsley flat
Cilantro
Dill fresh
Cumin seed
Chili Flake (3)
Suzma (4)

One and a third pounds should make five salad size servings.

Make   -   (1-1/2 hrs - 30 min work)
  1. Slice RADISHES thin, then cut slices into narrow matchsticks and put them in a non-reactive bowl.
  2. Slice CUCUMBERS same as radishes but a bit thicker and wider. I cut the cukes about 1-1/4 inch long and slice lengthwise. Add to the radishes.
  3. Stir 1/2 t Salt into the Cucumber mix. Let sit for about 1/2 hour, tumbling now and then.
  4. Cut SCALLIONS into small rounds, using both green and white parts, and place in a large mixing bowl.
  5. Chop PARSLEY, CILANTRO and DILL small and add to mixing bowl.
  6. Drain Cucumber mix well, and squeeze out any excess water. Add to the mixing bowl.
  7. Preferably dry roast the Cumin Seeds. I crush them fairly well in a mortar, but not to powder. Add to the mixing bowl along with Chili Flake.
  8. Spoon in Suzma and mix all together well. You should not need to add salt as the Suzma is lightly salty and there will be some salt retained by the Cucumber mix.
  9. Chill for an hour or so before serving for flavors to blend.
NOTES:

  1. Radishes:

      Some recipes use white daikon radish instead of red radishes.

  2. Cucumbers:

      Use Persian or another small diameter cucumber that doesn't need to be peeled of seeded (English, European, Japanese, Mediterranean, or, laking those, Kirbys). If you have only the regular waxed blimps, peel, cut in half lengthwise and deseed before slicing.

  3. Chili Flake:

      1/2 t Korean flake will hardly be noticed. I like to use 1/2 t Indian Khandela, which is noticeble, depending on my expected guests. Use your own best judgement. For details see our Chili Powder / Flake page.
  4. Suzma:   [Labne, Lebneh, Kefir Cheese]   The Uzbek name Suzmali Kujk Salat indicates it's made with Suzma. The pattern recipe, from a 20 year old cookbook, presumed you couldn't get that, and called for 4 oz Feta Cheese and 4 oz of Sour Cream. Yogurt cheese is easily available here in Los Angeles as "Labne", but the substitution works if you need to use it.
  5. U.S. measure: t=teaspoon, T=Tablespoon, c=cup, qt=quart, oz=ounce, #=pound, cl=clove ",in=inch, ar=as required tt=to taste
ngv_uwcheez1.html 061122 r 181218 auc42   -   www.clovegarden.com
©Andrew Grygus - agryg@aaxnet.com - Linking to and non-commercial use of this page is permitted.