As with any cucumber salad recipe, the trick is to keep the cucumbers crisp and water from collecting at the bottom of the bowl. I find that weighting down the cucumbers during salting so they release more water really helps. Be sure to quickly toss the salad one more time before serving.
This recipe for cucumber salad serves 3 to 4.
This recipe for cucumber salad serves 3 to 4.
Ingredients:
- 2 medium cucumbers
- 1 1/2 tsp salt
- 3 Tb red wine vinegar
- 5 1/2 tsp. soy sauce
- 2 tsp. Asian sesame oil
- 1 Tb brown sugar
- 1/4 - 1/2 tsp crushed red pepper, according to taste
- 1 medium red bell pepper, cut into chunks
- 2 scallions (green onion, spring onion), thinly chopped
Preparation:
1. Peel the cucumbers if desired. Cut in half lengthwise, and scoop out the seeds in the middle. Cut diagonally into thin slices, no more than 1/2-inch thick.
2. Lay the cucumber slices in a colander and sprinkle with salt. Leave for at least 1 hour and pat dry with paper towels, squeezing out any excess water.
Note: To help drain more water from the cucumbers, I weighed them down with 2 resealable plastic bags about 3/4 full with water. You can also use a saucer to weigh down the cucumbers.
3. While desalting the cucumbers, in a small bowl, whisk together the red wine vinegar, soy sauce and sesame oil. Whisk in the sugar and crushed red pepper. Simmer the dressing over very low heat for 2 – 3 minutes, (this allows the flavors to blend).
4. Remove the cucumbers and pat dry with paper towels, squeezing out any excess water.
5. Place the cucumbers in a large bowl and add the red bell pepper and chopped scallion. Drizzle the dressing over the salad. Toss, cover and chill for at least 2 hours before serving, (preferably longer). Toss the salad in the dressing again before serving.
More Chinese Salads:
Asian Coleslaw
Chinese Potato Salad
Cold Asparagus Salad
Easy Chinese Chicken Salad
Szechuan Hot Chicken Salad (Bang Bang Ji)
Chilled Melon Fruit Salad - a light refreshing dessert
2. Lay the cucumber slices in a colander and sprinkle with salt. Leave for at least 1 hour and pat dry with paper towels, squeezing out any excess water.
Note: To help drain more water from the cucumbers, I weighed them down with 2 resealable plastic bags about 3/4 full with water. You can also use a saucer to weigh down the cucumbers.
3. While desalting the cucumbers, in a small bowl, whisk together the red wine vinegar, soy sauce and sesame oil. Whisk in the sugar and crushed red pepper. Simmer the dressing over very low heat for 2 – 3 minutes, (this allows the flavors to blend).
4. Remove the cucumbers and pat dry with paper towels, squeezing out any excess water.
5. Place the cucumbers in a large bowl and add the red bell pepper and chopped scallion. Drizzle the dressing over the salad. Toss, cover and chill for at least 2 hours before serving, (preferably longer). Toss the salad in the dressing again before serving.
More Chinese Salads:
Asian Coleslaw
Chinese Potato Salad
Cold Asparagus Salad
Easy Chinese Chicken Salad
Szechuan Hot Chicken Salad (Bang Bang Ji)
Chilled Melon Fruit Salad - a light refreshing dessert
