Cucumber Salad in advance?

[valerie]

I'm going to a friend's house for lunch tomorrow and I'm bringing this sweet & sour cucumber salad. It says it "can be prepared and chilled two hours before serving". I've made it only once before and last time I think I did just that, made it a few hours before I served it.

Do you think that I can make it later on tonight, or will it just be a complete soggy mess by lunch time tomorrow?

Thanks.

http://www.epicurious.com/recipes/foo...

[gotvin]

I definitely like my cucumber salad to marinade for at least 4 hours - more is better - never soggy! Ditto the chili flakes!

[normalheightsfoodie]

We make it all of the time, i am glad that it came out good. The thcker slices were spot on, sometimes I quarter the cukes and remove the seeds, some times I just slice rounds or halves. An added twist is to add a pinch of chili flakes and or shrimp.

[valerie]

Actually, I add some thinly sliced red onion to the Epicurious recipe. Really adds another layer of flavor.

[normalheightsfoodie]

You are correct, we always also add the red onion bits.

The shrimp part is not too Kosher, but it is good.

We got the recipe in a book called California Kosher. http://www.amazon.com/gp/reader/09630...

[LulusMom]

I alway add the chili flakes - a wonderful addition!

[scorpioscuba]

If you like spicy - I've added a touch of Sriracha to the marinade - Spectacular!

[torty]

And among friends, it is really addictive with finely minced garlic. The sweet, sour plus garlic makes everything you eat it with taste good.

[valerie]

Thanks all. I ended up making the dressing last night, but then I cut up the cucumbers and assembled the whole thing at about 9:00 this morning (lunch was around 12:00).

It is really good and easy, but I think it could have benefited from a little more marinating. Next time I'll make it a day in advance.

[Sam Fujisaka]

The recipe is similar to a traditional Japanese cucumber salad--best if made a day ahead of time. The only difference is that I scoop out the seeds and pulpy parts after halving lenghtwise and prior to slicing thinly cross-wise.

[soypower]

i usually make a big batch of a similar recipe that we eat for days...in fact, i think it tastes best the day after when all the flavors really seep into the cucumbers. never had the cucumbers turn mushy. if you're very concerned, you may want to just slice the cucumbers a little bit thicker than normal.

[firecooked]

Same here... the cucumbers will better the next day. There will be more juice, but if serving for a party, I would just drain it a bit.

[LulusMom]

Same here ... I know it isn't supposed to be made in advance, but I make cucumber salad hours before, and often eat the leftovers for lunch the next day. I think it is always best when its had some time to sit.

[torty]

It will get a little watery since the cukes continue to sweat, but we have always made it the day before for parties. Just don't put all the liquid in the serving dish. The flavor and texture should be just fine since it is not meant to be crispy with the designated very thin slice. I don't see cucumbers as getting mushy- they have alot of integrity.

[Candy]

Wait until tomorrow, it will be way to soggy. You could make the dressing this evening and chill it and slice the cucumbers tomorrow and combine with the dressing just before you leave.

[valerie]

Ok, that's kinda what I thought. Thanks.