SMASHED CUCUMBER SALAD
This refreshing, flavorful salad stars Chinese black vinegar with light soy sauce as its milder sidekick. Smashed cucumber salad (pai huang gua in Mandarin) is a staple side dish in many Chinese restaurants, and I've often ordered it along with soup dumplings for a light meal. Chinese black vinegar has a deep and slightly smoky flavor, mild acidity and faint sweetness. The salad usually includes garlic and sesame seeds or sesame oil, and some variations add chiles or Sichuan peppercorn; this version uses gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes) for a touch of heat, which isn't traditional but gives the salad a nice red hue and balanced spiciness. Smashing the cucumber helps to create jagged edges so there is more surface area to absorb the dressing, while salting the cucumber softens the skin, firms up the flesh and releases some water, concentrating the cucumber's flavor.
Provided by Food Network Kitchen
Categories side-dish
Time 1h15m
Yield 4 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Partially peel the cucumbers by removing alternate strips of the skin with a vegetable peeler. Cut the cucumber in half lengthwise, then use a spoon to scrape out the seeds. Smash the cucumber with a flat side of a cleaver or large knife or a rolling pin or meat mallet until it is flattened with jagged edges. Split each cucumber half in half again lengthwise. Cut the strips into 1-inch pieces diagonally.
- Toss the cucumber and salt together in a medium bowl. Let sit at room temperature until the cucumber releases some water, about 1 hour.
- Meanwhile, combine the oil, shallot and garlic in a small saucepan and cook over medium-low heat until the shallot is translucent, about 2 minutes. Mix in the gochugaru and allow it to bloom in the oil. Stir the vinegar, soy sauce, sugar and 1/2 teaspoon sesame seeds together in a small bowl until the sugar dissolves. Set aside.
- Strain the cucumbers and dry them with a paper towel. Return them to the medium bowl. Add the vinegar mixture and toss. Toss again with the garlic-shallot oil. Garnish with the remaining sesame seeds and the cilantro.
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tanveer baloch_0786
[email protected]I love this salad! It's so refreshing and flavorful. I always make it when I have cucumbers on hand.
Mr Single
[email protected]This salad is so easy to make and it's always a hit at parties.
Passion Danridge
[email protected]I love the addition of the mint and dill to this salad. It gives it a really fresh and herbaceous flavor.
Sojib Das
[email protected]This salad is the perfect side dish for any summer meal. It's light, refreshing, and flavorful.
Md Maruf Hasan
[email protected]I'm not usually a fan of cucumbers, but this salad changed my mind. It's so refreshing and flavorful.
Md Hanif Sheikh
[email protected]This salad is a great way to get your daily dose of vegetables. It's healthy and delicious!
Art Mai
[email protected]I love the simplicity of this salad. It's made with just a few fresh ingredients and it's packed with flavor.
Safder Naqvi
[email protected]This salad is so refreshing and delicious. It's the perfect way to cool down on a hot summer day.
Me, Myself, and I :D
[email protected]I've made this salad several times and it's always a crowd-pleaser. It's the perfect side dish for any summer gathering.
Md Rijon
[email protected]This salad is so easy to make and it's always a hit at parties. I always get asked for the recipe.
M Tayyab Noman
[email protected]I love the combination of flavors in this salad. The cucumbers, vinegar, and herbs all work together perfectly.
Mohamed Yusri
[email protected]I'm not usually a fan of cucumber salad, but this one is really good. The dressing is light and flavorful and the cucumbers are crisp and refreshing.
Clifford Jay
[email protected]I made this salad with some cucumbers from my garden and it was delicious! The cucumbers were so fresh and flavorful.
Sekai Mangena
[email protected]This salad is a great way to use up leftover cucumbers. I always have a few cucumbers in my fridge and this is a great way to use them up before they go bad.
cheryl Cassard
[email protected]I love the simplicity of this salad. It's made with just a few fresh ingredients and it's packed with flavor. I'll definitely be making it again.
Charlene allcorn
[email protected]This salad is so refreshing and light. It's perfect for a summer lunch or dinner.
Talha sandhu
[email protected]I made this salad for a picnic and it was a huge hit! Everyone loved it. The cucumbers were crisp and the dressing was flavorful.
donnie sanders
[email protected]This is my new favorite cucumber salad recipe! It's so easy to make and the flavors are amazing. I love the addition of the mint and dill.
Raymundo Zarate
[email protected]I've made this salad several times and it's always a winner. The cucumbers are so refreshing and the dressing is the perfect balance of sweet and sour. I highly recommend it!
Hy Ty
[email protected]This smashed cucumber salad is a refreshing and delicious summer side dish! I love the combination of crunchy cucumbers, tangy vinegar, and fresh herbs. It's so easy to make and always a hit at potlucks and barbecues.