Best 3 Chinese Marinated Cucumbers Recipes
**Chinese Marinated Cucumbers: A Refreshing and Flavorful Side Dish**
Chinese marinated cucumbers, also known as smashed cucumbers or pai huang gua, are a refreshing and flavorful side dish that is commonly served in Chinese restaurants and homes. This dish is made with fresh cucumbers that are sliced, smashed, and then marinated in a flavorful mixture of soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, sesame oil, and garlic. The result is a crispy, tangy, and slightly sweet cucumber dish that is perfect for a hot summer day or as a light and healthy snack. In this article, we will provide you with two variations of this classic dish: the traditional Chinese marinated cucumbers and a spicy version with added chili peppers. Both recipes are easy to follow and can be made in just a few minutes, making them a perfect addition to your next meal.
CRISP MARINATED CUCUMBERS
My grandma gave me this recipe and I absolutely love it. It's great eating it in the warmer months or any family get-together.
Provided by mistyaikin
Categories Salad Vegetable Salad Recipes Cucumber Salad Recipes
Time 8h10m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Whisk vinegar, sugar, salt, and celery seed together in a large bowl; stir in cucumbers and onion. Cover and refrigerate overnight. Serve cold.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 115.8 calories, Carbohydrate 29.4 g, Fat 0.2 g, Fiber 0.6 g, Protein 0.8 g, Sodium 293.2 mg, Sugar 27 g
SPICY ASIAN CUCUMBERS
This is one of my favorite ways to prepare cucumbers. Very different from the traditional way.
Provided by JOSIE
Categories Salad Vegetable Salad Recipes Cucumber Salad Recipes
Time 2h15m
Yield 4
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Place cucumbers into a colander, sprinkle with salt, and let drain at least 30 minutes. Shake off excess liquid but don't rinse the cucumbers.
- Whisk soy sauce, sugar, garlic, rice vinegar, sesame oil, hot chili oil, and red pepper flakes in a salad bowl. Stir in cucumbers to coat with dressing. Chill 2 to 3 hours before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 75.2 calories, Carbohydrate 12 g, Fat 3.1 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 1.8 g, SaturatedFat 0.5 g, Sodium 1393.1 mg, Sugar 6.8 g
CHINESE SMASHED CUCUMBERS WITH SESAME OIL AND GARLIC
In China, cucumbers are considered the ideal foil for hot weather and hot food. Versions of this salad, pai huang gua, are served all over the country, sometimes spiked with dried chiles and Sichuan peppercorns for more dimensions of flavor. In Beijing, people buy whole chilled cucumbers from street vendors and munch them on the go, much as Americans become attached to their cups of iced coffee in summer. The smashing process, a classic Chinese technique, cracks the skin, helps release the seeds and splits the flesh into appealing craggy pieces. Salting and chilling the cracked cucumbers give them the perfect cool, crunchy, watery mouth feel.
Provided by Julia Moskin
Categories salads and dressings, side dish
Time 40m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Rinse cucumbers and pat dry. Cut crosswise into pieces about 4 inches long. Cut each piece in half lengthwise.
- On a work surface, place a piece of cucumber (or several) cut side down. Lay the blade of a large knife flat on top the cucumber and smash down lightly with your other hand. The skin will begin to crack, the flesh will break down and the seeds will separate. Repeat until the whole piece is smashed. Break or slice diagonally into bite-size pieces, leaving the seeds behind.
- Place the cucumber pieces in a strainer and toss with a big pinch of salt and a big pinch of sugar. Place a plastic bag filled with ice on top of the cucumbers to serve as a weight and place the strainer over a bowl. Let drain 15 to 30 minutes on the counter, or in the refrigerator until ready to serve, up to 4 hours.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, combine salt, sugar and rice vinegar. Stir until salt and sugar are dissolved. Stir in sesame oil and soy sauce.
- When ready to serve, shake cucumbers well to drain off any remaining liquid and transfer to a serving bowl. Drizzle with grapeseed or olive oil and toss. Add half the dressing, half the garlic and the red pepper flakes to taste, and toss. Keep adding dressing until cucumbers are well coated but not drowned. Taste and add more pepper flakes and garlic if needed. Serve immediately, garnished with cilantro and sesame seeds.
Tips:
- To make the best Chinese marinated cucumbers, choose fresh, firm cucumbers that are not too big or too small. Approximately 6 inches or 15 centimeters long.
- Wash the cucumbers thoroughly and cut them into bite-sized pieces. You can also use a cucumber slicer to create thin, even slices.
- In a large bowl, combine the cucumbers with the marinade ingredients. Make sure the cucumbers are well coated with the marinade.
- Cover the bowl and place it in the refrigerator for at least 2 hours, or overnight. The longer the cucumbers marinate, the more flavor they will absorb.
- When ready to serve, drain the cucumbers from the marinade and arrange them on a plate. Garnish with sesame seeds, chili flakes, or chopped cilantro.
Conclusion:
Chinese marinated cucumbers are a delicious and refreshing side dish that can be enjoyed on their own or as part of a larger meal. They are also a great way to add some extra vegetables to your diet. With just a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can easily make your own Chinese marinated cucumbers at home. So next time you're looking for a healthy and flavorful snack or side dish, give this recipe a try!
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