Cucumber Salad
Smashed Cucumber Salad is a refreshing Chinese cold dish that is simple to make and uniquely flavorful. Smash and cut cucumbers into pieces, then add minced garlic, ginger, small red chili, and green onions. Drizzle with fragrant Sichuan pepper oil for a sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy taste. Perfect for summer, this dish cools you down while delighting your taste buds. Try this fresh and delicious salad to bring a touch of the East to your table.
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When making Smashed Cucumber Salad, here are some tips and tricks to help beginners master this dish:
1.Choose the Right Cucumbers
Use English cucumbers or Persian cucumbers as they have fewer seeds and a crisp texture, ideal for smashing.
2.Prepare the Cucumbers
Wash the cucumbers and gently smash them with the flat side of a knife or a rolling pin until they crack open. This helps them absorb the dressing better.
Be gentle while smashing to avoid turning the cucumbers into mush.
3.Remove Excess Water
After smashing and cutting the cucumbers, sprinkle a little salt on them and let them sit for 15-20 minutes to draw out excess water. Drain and pat dry with paper towels to keep the cucumbers crisp.
4.Make the Dressing
Use fresh garlic, ginger, small red chili and Sichuan peppe to enhance the flavor. If you can't find fresh chili peppers, substitute with red pepper flakes or dried chilies. Sichuan peppercorns can be found at Asian supermarkets or online.
Light soy sauce and rice vinegar are the main dressing ingredients, sesame oil adds fragrance, and sugar balances the tanginess.
5.Allow Time for Flavor to Develop
Let the mixed salad sit for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld. You can also refrigerate it for a bit for an even better taste.
6.Keep It Fresh
This dish is best enjoyed within an hour of preparation to maintain the crisp texture of the cucumbers.
More Easy Chinese Cold Dishes
If you enjoy this quick and easy Smashed Cucumber Salad, you won't want to miss these simple cold dishes. They are delicious, easy to make, and perfect for your next meal!
Cold Tossed Wood Ear Mushrooms: Crisp and nutritious, a great appetizer.
Cold Tossed Chicken Gizzards: Flavorful and chewy, a classic Chinese cold dish.
Cold Bean Sprout Salad: Refreshing and easy to make, perfect for cooling down in summer.
With these tips and tricks, you can easily make a delicious Smashed Cucumber Salad. Enjoy this refreshing, sweet, tangy, and slightly spicy Chinese cold dish!
INGREDIENTS
MAIN INGREDIENTS
- 1 cucumbers
ACCESSORIES
- 2-3 cloves garlic, minced
- 2 small red chili, sliced (or 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper flakes)
- 1 teaspoon fresh ginger, minced
- 1 green onion, sliced
SEASONINGS
- 1 tablespoon light soy sauce
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (or black vinegar if available)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon Sichuan peppercorns
- 2 tablespoons cooking oil
- Optional: additional chili oil for extra heat
DIRECTIONS
STEP 1
Prepare the Cucumbers:
Wash the cucumbers and use the flat side of a knife or a rolling pin to lightly smash them until they crack open.
Cut the smashed cucumbers into bite-sized pieces.
STEP 2
Prepare Aromatics:
Slice the small red chili (if using), mince the ginger, and chop the garlic and green onion.
STEP 3
Make the Sichuan Pepper Oil:
In a small pan, heat the cooking oil over medium heat.
Add the Sichuan peppercorns, ginger, and sliced chili (or crushed red pepper flakes).
Cook until fragrant, about 1-2 minutes and set it aside, being careful not to burn the spices.
STEP 4
Assemble the Salad:
Place the cucumber pieces in a serving bowl.
Add the minced garlic, green onion, light soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, and sugar.
Mix well to combine.
STEP 5
Finish the Salad:
Pour the prepared Sichuan pepper oil over the salad.
If desired, add additional chili oil for extra heat.
Toss everything together to coat the cucumbers evenly.
STEP 6
Serve:
Let the salad sit for about 10 minutes to allow the flavors to meld.
Serve chilled or at room temperature.
Recipe analyzer
- Recipes: Cucumber Salad
- Main Ingredients:5
- Servings per recipe:1
- Servings size:241 g
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Energy (calories)：37 kcal
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Protein：1.7 g
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Fat：0.37 g
Why gray?
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Carbohydrates：7.18 g
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Protein: 16%6 kcal
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Fat: 9%3 kcal
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Carbohydrates: 75%28 kcal
The ratio shows whether the proportion of both fatty acids in your diet is optimal. Red color means too much of Omega 6 or too little of Omega 3. The data are rounded off and approximate.
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