Easy Asian Cucumber Salad
A simple Asian Cucumber
Salad with lively, prepared Sesame Garlic dressing. This serving of mixed
greens is a reviving reward for all Cucumber Salad Lovers. Cut cucumbers with a
brisk blend of dressing, and it is The ideal expansion to a summer feast.
Dressing
is vinegar based and is lite without any dairy, too-much oil, or nuts. (I'm
also sharing tips to make an always-crunchy-not-watery-cucumber-salad. Don't
miss to read.)
Today's recipe is inspired from a local Asian Dumpling
restaurant. This cucumber salad is their top seller. I usually don't order
simple salads for starters but a filling, layered, full-meal kinda salad is my
thing.
One day, Vishal insisted me to try this Cucumber Salad.
I have to say, I was pleasantly surprised. Salad was two spiralized mini Asian
seedless cucumbers with drizzle of sweet and sour dressing. With aroma of
sesame oil, first sweet and sour flavor the taste buds, then crunchy cucumber
and it finishes with a tiny bit lingering heat.
I recommend three things when trying this salad:
1. Don't skimp on dressing. Drizzle some on salad. Save
some to use before eating.
2. Keep heat low. It does not hit taste buds until bite is finished. If unsure, try dressing with a slice of cucumber to test.
3. For best flavor, serve salad chilled.
2. Keep heat low. It does not hit taste buds until bite is finished. If unsure, try dressing with a slice of cucumber to test.
3. For best flavor, serve salad chilled.
Always Crunchy Cucumber Salad
Even an easy Cucumber Salad such as this can get tricky
when cucumber starts to release water and eventually loose crunch.
Fact is, vegetables like Cucumber, Summer Squash are
filled with water. As soon as salt or acid comes in contact with sliced
cucumber or zucchini, these release most water out. To prevent this (or more
realistically minimize it), I use following methods to prepare a crunchy
Cucumber Salad:
1. Make Salad Just Before
Serving:
This is the easiest and simplest method ever. Make Salad
Dressing and store in separate container. It stays good for more than 2 weeks.
Slice cucumber slightly thick slices. Just before serving, drizzle dressing on
top, and season with pinch of salt. Serve immediately.
2. Salt Cure Cucumber (make
cucumber giveaway most water):
It is the most common method used to draw moisture out
of vegetables. Slice the cucumber and sprinkle slightly with salt on both
sides. Leave aside in strainer for 15-20 minutes. You will be amazed how much
water 2 cucumbers yield in matter of 15-20 minutes. Once drained, then transfer
to paper towel to soak extra moisture hanging outside completely. Or Pat dry
with clean paper towel.
That's it. These 20 minutes are a huge investment in
making a perfect Cucumber Salad. A cucumber salad that you will not find in
pool of water. This cured cucumber can be used for all kind cucumber salad.
Traditional creamy, or lite such as today's recipe.
Sweet and Sour Salad Dressing:
A perfect Asian salad dressing is sweet, tangy and has
bit of heat. You can add these three flavors with many ingredients. I used
following for this recipe.
For Cucumber Salad, vinegar dressing is my favorite. It
keeps salad lite, tangy, and add big punch of flavor. I used Rice Vinegar
(unseasoned) which is perfect for that distinct refreshing Asian flavor.
Unseasoned vinegar helps control the salt of recipe. Since dressing also has
soy and sambal. It is best to use unseasoned vinegar to adjust the
seasoning.
For sweetness, I use regular sugar. It is important to
mix it well so it dissolved fully. You can also use honey, agave, palm nectar,
or no-sugar sweet substitutes if you prefer.
Oh, have you tried my Chinese
Chicken Salad with Honey-Mustard dressing? That dressing is
also sweet and sour but uses mustard and honey. Must try!
Spiralized or Thin Sliced:
This salad is very forgiving. Use your favorite method
of slicing cucumber. I prefer to spiralize it when serving immediately. When
bringing to potluck or serving later, I prefer thick sliced cucumber.
If you love cucumber, this will be your favorite salad
all summer long. Simple, easy yet bold pack-a-punch sweet-sour flavor.. It
always makes a statement when I serve it to my guests. In-fact, recipe is so
quick, I even make some for weekend grilling. I hope you will enjoy it as mush
as we do.
Wish you a wonderful day ahead.
Ingredients
- 4 cups of very thinly sliced seedless cucumbers (i used mini cucumbers)
- 1/4 cup of finely sliced red onion
- 1/4 cup of fined diced red pepper
- 1/4 cup of rice wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon of honey
- 1 teaspoon of sesame seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
- 1/4 teaspoon of red pepper flakes
- 1/4 teaspoon of sea salt
Instructions
- Add VERY thinly sliced cucumber, sliced red onion, diced red pepper, and sesame seeds to a medium size bowl. Set aside.
- In a small bowl mix together rice wine vinegar, honey, toasted sesame oil, red pepper flakes, and sea salt .
- Add dressing to the cucumber bowl. Toss to mix everything.
- Serve immediately or cover and let sit in the refrigerator for an hour or two to let all the flavors meld.