Description
Cool cucumber salad from China brings crisp, tangy flavors to your summer table. Fresh ingredients and quick preparation make this dish a perfect side for grilled meats or as a light, refreshing appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
- 2 large cucumbers (English or Persian)
- 1 garlic clove, minced
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsps rice vinegar
- 1 tbsp soy sauce (or tamari for gluten-free)
- 1 tsp sesame oil
- 1 tbsp sugar (or honey for a natural sweetener)
- ½ tsp red pepper flakes (optional, for spice)
- 1 tbsp sesame seeds, toasted
- 2 tbsps green onions, thinly sliced
Instructions
- Cucumber Preparation: Slice cucumbers into thin, uniform rounds or half-moons using a sharp knife, creating delicate, translucent pieces.
- Moisture Extraction: Sprinkle salt over cucumber slices and let them drain in a colander for 10 minutes, drawing out excess water to enhance crispness.
- Dressing Creation: Whisk rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, minced garlic, and red pepper flakes together, creating a harmonious blend of tangy, sweet, and spicy flavors.
- Salad Assembly: Rinse and pat cucumber slices dry, then transfer to a mixing bowl. Pour the vibrant dressing over the cucumbers, gently tossing to ensure complete coating.
- Garnish and Serve: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and sliced green onions on top. Enjoy immediately for maximum crispness, or refrigerate for 15-20 minutes to allow flavors to meld and intensify.
Notes
- Optimize Cucumber Texture: Salt and drain cucumbers precisely to remove excess water, preventing a watery salad and ensuring crisp, concentrated flavor.
- Customize Heat Level: Adjust red pepper flakes quantity to personalize spiciness – start with a pinch for mild warmth or increase for bold, fiery kick.
- Elevate Freshness: Serve immediately for maximum crunch or refrigerate briefly to allow flavors to meld, creating a more complex taste profile.
- Dietary Adaptations: Replace sugar with honey or agave for natural sweetness, ensuring compatibility with various dietary preferences like vegan or low-refined sugar diets.
- Prep Time: 5 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: Mixing
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3
- Calories: 45
- Sugar: 2 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 2 g
- Saturated Fat: 0 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 9 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg