This is a simple and creamy Asian cucumber salad. It makes for a delicious and refreshing side dish or a fresh and light snack. Cool, creamy and crunchy, this hits all the right notes.
This cucumber salad recipe uses Kewpie Mayo as a creamy base. It’s a refreshing dish that takes about 25 minutes to make, and most of it just waits.
What you need
Cucumbers – I like to use cucumbers in English, Persian, or those little cocktails. They have thin, soft skin and have very few seeds, so no peeling is required. If you are using regular American cucumbers (a type of thick skin and large seed), go ahead and peel them. Otherwise, your skin can taste a little bitter. Salt – I use thin sea salt. It brings out excess water and cucumber season at the same time. Kewpie Mayo – A rich, creamy Japanese Mayo that functions as a creamy base. Regular Mayo works, but Kewpies are very tasty. Rice Vinegar – Add light tongues to balance out the creamy Kewpie mayonnaise. Green Onion – Adds a pop of fresh, mild onion flavor and colour to brighten up the salad. Don’t you like green onions? Feel free to exclude them. Sesame Oil – Adds a deep, toast flavor and smells amazing. Roasted Sesame – A bit of texture and protein per bite for crunch. You can use either white or black sesame seeds or a combination of both.
How to make it
Step 1: Prepare the cucumbers
Slice the cucumbers into thin discs. The #3 setting uses a mandolin slicer for even slices, but you can also use a knife. If you are using American cucumber, remove the skin (it can be bitter) and scoop up the seeds if the seeds are too large.
Step 2: Add salt to the cucumber
Add salt and toss well to coat. Let it sit for about 20 minutes to pull out any excess water.
Pour the liquid that will gather at the bottom of the bowl. Then gently squeeze the cucumbers with a handful to remove any remaining moisture. Do not rinse.
Step 3: Make a dressing
Add the remaining ingredients together with the cucumbers to the bowl. Throw everything together until it’s well coated. Taste and adjust as needed. Serve and have fun.
FAQ
Why do you smoke salt in cucumbers?
Salting cucumbers is an option, but highly recommended.
It really improves the texture with crunchiness. It also helps prevent water-like salads, especially if you’ve made them in advance. Without salting, the cucumber releases plenty of liquid when sitting.
If you prefer natural crunches and plan on eating a salad right away, you can skip salting. Instead, adjust the seasonings using about 3 tablespoons of light soy sauce (or just a little salt in the flavor).
I’ll level up
If this is too boring, try adding the following for a more spectacular salad:
Poke – A small cubes of sushi grade raw salmon (sashimi). You can add about 1 cup or 1/2 lb of pork to make this large meal. Lightly dress with soy sauce and throw them. Both the snake and the macago – they are fish eggs. The sparrows fly fish eggs, and the sparrows are wheat eggs. Often these can be found in the fridge or freezer sections of most Asian grocery stores. It offers a lovely salty, fishy, crispy pop.
Related recipes
If you’re enjoying cucumbers, you might like my other cucumber salad recipes:
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explanation
A simple and creamy Asian cucumber salad. It makes for a delicious and refreshing side dish or a fresh and light snack. Cool, creamy and crunchy, this hits all the right notes.
Prepare the cucumber: Slice the cucumber into thin discs. #3 setting uses a mandolin slicer for even slices. Cucumber salt: Add salt and toss well to coat. Let it sit for about 20 minutes to pull out any excess water. Pour the liquid that will gather at the bottom of the bowl. Then gently squeeze the cucumbers with a handful to remove any remaining moisture. Do not rinse. Make a dressing: Add the remaining ingredients to a bowl along with the cucumbers. Throw everything together until it’s well coated. Taste and adjust as needed. Serve and have fun.
Note
If not salted, add 3 teaspoons of light soy sauce.
Preparation time: 25 mincategory: Appetizers, side dishesmethod: There are no chefscooking: Asia
(TagStoTRASSLATE) Cucumber (T) Simple recipe
