Description
Cool cucumber salads from China spark fresh summer comfort. Crisp cucumber slices dance with tangy rice vinegar, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes, offering a zesty side dish that refreshes your palate in minutes.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients:
- 5 Persian cucumbers
Seasonings:
- 0.5 teaspoons (½ tsp) salt
- 1 tablespoon (1 tbsp) sugar
- 0.75 tablespoons (¾ tbsp) light soy sauce
- 0.75 tablespoons (¾ tbsp) rice vinegar
Oils and Garnish:
- 0.5 tablespoons (½ tbsp) sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon (1 tbsp) chili oil
- 0.5 tablespoons (½ tbsp) sesame seeds
Instructions
- Carefully trim the ends of the cucumber, then slice diagonally to create elongated, oval-shaped pieces approximately 1/8 inch (3 millimeters) thick, ensuring uniform width for consistent texture.
- Transfer cucumber slices to a mixing bowl and generously sprinkle of salt over the surface, gently tossing to distribute evenly.
- Place the salted cucumber mixture in the refrigerator for 20-25 minutes, allowing the salt to extract excess moisture and enhance the vegetable’s crisp texture.
- Remove the cucumber from the refrigerator and thoroughly drain the accumulated liquid through a fine-mesh strainer.
- Quickly rinse the cucumber slices under cool running water for 10 seconds to remove excess salt, then pat dry with clean paper towels.
- Return the cucumber slices to the original mixing bowl and introduce sesame oil, light soy sauce, granulated sugar, rice vinegar, chili oil, and toasted sesame seeds.
- Whisk the dressing ingredients together, ensuring complete integration and even coating of the cucumber slices.
- Transfer the salad to a serving dish and garnish with additional sesame seeds if desired, serving immediately for optimal freshness and flavor.
Notes
- Slice cucumbers diagonally for an elegant, elongated shape that maximizes surface area for dressing absorption.
- Salt treatment helps reduce excess moisture, ensuring a crisp and flavorful salad texture.
- Marinating for 20 minutes allows cucumbers to develop a more concentrated flavor and softer bite.
- Quick rinse after salting prevents the dish from becoming too salty while maintaining its refreshing quality.
- Combination of sesame oil, soy sauce, and rice vinegar creates a balanced, umami-rich Asian-inspired dressing.
- Chili oil and sesame seeds add depth, subtle heat, and a nutty crunch to elevate the simple cucumber base.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Lunch, Appetizer, Snacks
- Method: None
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 4
- Calories: 80 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 280 mg
- Fat: 6 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 6 g
- Fiber: 1 g
- Protein: 1 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg