Five Refreshing Cucumber Recipes

1. Water or “Agua Fresca”

Ingredients:
1 1/2 organic cucumbers
2 limes
2 tablespoons maple syrup
2 cups water
small handful of fresh mint leaves

Method:
Juice the limes. Put the lime juice into the blender along with all of the other ingredients, and some ice if you want it extra cool!
Blend until smooth, pour into your favorite big glass or jar, and enjoy!

2. Cucumber Salad

Ingredients:
2 English cucumbers
2 cups grape tomatoes
1/2 red onion
1 mango
1/2 avocado
1 serrano pepper
1 lime
1/2 teaspoon garlic powder
1/4 teaspoon salt

Method:
Peel the cucumbers, then cut them in half lengthwise. Cut the halves into slices, so you have half-moons or half-coins of cucumber.
Cut the grape tomatoes in half. Thinly slice the red onion. Peel and pit the mango, then cut the flesh into bite-sized chunks. Cut the avocado into small pieces. Mince the serrano pepper.
Put the cucumber, tomatoes, onion, mango in a large bowl. Juice the lime on top, then sprinkle with the salt and garlic powder. Mix well.
Add the avocado pieces and serrano pepper to the mixed salad, and mix gently.

3. Cucumber Rolls

Ingredients:
1 cucumber
1/2 avocado
1/2 bell pepper (any color)
1/2 red onion
2 carrots
1 cup spinach
¼ cup parsley

Method:
Using a peeler, cut the cucumber lengthwise into thin slices.
Finely slice the avocado, bell pepper, and red onion. Shred the carrot.
At one end of each cucumber slice, make a little pile of the avocado, bell pepper, red onion, carrot, spinach, and parsley. Starting at that end, roll the cucumber to hold all the ingredients inside. Repeat for each slice of cucumber.
Arrange on a plate either lying down or standing up, and be sure to appreciate how cute they are before you eat them!

4. Cucumber Noodles

Ingredients:
2 cucumbers

Pesto:
1 avocado
1 garlic clove
1/2 lime
½ cucumber
basil leaves
salt and pepper to taste

Method:
Spiralize the cucumbers. If you don’t have a spiralizer, use a peeler or mandoline to achieve a similar effect!
In a blender, blend the avocado, garlic clove, juice from 1/2 lime, basil, and salt and pepper to taste.
Pour the dressing over the noodles, and enjoy!

Tip:
This is even more delicious garnished with halved cherry tomatoes!

5. Cucumber Sandwich

Ingredients:
1/2 large cucumber
1 large avocado
2 slices whole wheat bread
1 romaine lettuce leaf
½ cup alfalfa sprouts
Dijon mustard
¼ cup red onion
1 jalapeno
1 tsp apple cider vinegar
salt and black pepper, to taste

Method:
Peel and slice the cucumber. Cut the avocado into slices. Thinly slice the red onion and jalapeno.
Spread the Dijon mustard on one slice of bread. On top, put one leaf of Romaine lettuce and your cucumber slices. Arrange the alfalfa sprouts on top. Next, put the avocado, then the red onion, then the jalapeno. Drizzle the vinegar over all the veggies, sprinkle with salt and pepper to taste, then top with the other slice of bread.

Remember earlier when I mentioned that cucumbers can help you get your summer body on? This is because they’re high in water, fiber, minerals, and vitamins, but low in calories, so they’re perfect for weight loss or detoxifying! They also help us eliminate excess liquids that we may be retaining.

If you want more refreshing, easy recipes like this, download my four-week Rawvana Renewal program! It’s packed full of great recipes, straightforward workout routines, and so much more. If you’re ready to take the next steps toward a healthy, plant-based lifestyle, this is the perfect program for you. And of course, as always, I’d love to see your cucumber creations! Post a picture on Instagram using #rawvana or #rawvanafam.

Love you,

Yovana