Chinese Spicy Smashed Cucumber (View Print Version)

A refreshing smashed cucumber salad with a zesty soy garlic dressing and a hint of chili.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 large English cucumbers, ends trimmed
02 - 2 scallions, thinly sliced

→ Dressing

03 - 2 tablespoons soy sauce
04 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
05 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
06 - 1 to 2 teaspoons chili flakes, adjusted to taste
07 - 2 garlic cloves, finely minced
08 - 1 teaspoon sugar
09 - 1/4 teaspoon salt

→ Garnish

10 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
11 - Fresh cilantro leaves, optional

# Method:

01 - Place cucumbers on a cutting board and gently smash with the flat side of a knife until they crack. Tear or cut into bite-sized pieces.
02 - Transfer smashed cucumbers to a colander, sprinkle with salt, and let rest for 10 minutes to release excess water. Drain and pat dry with paper towels.
03 - In a large mixing bowl, whisk together soy sauce, rice vinegar, toasted sesame oil, chili flakes, minced garlic, and sugar until sugar dissolves.
04 - Add the drained cucumbers and sliced scallions to the bowl. Toss thoroughly to coat evenly with the dressing.
05 - Transfer salad to a serving platter, sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds and optional fresh cilantro. Serve immediately or chill for 10 to 15 minutes to deepen flavors.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It's proof that the simplest dishes often hit harder than elaborate ones.
  • You'll finally understand why chili flakes belong in more than just Italian food.
  • Everything comes together in fifteen minutes, leaving you time to actually enjoy your kitchen.
02 -
  • Don't skip the salting and draining step or you'll end up with a watery pool at the bottom of the bowl.
  • The sesame oil is potent, so use a light hand unless you want it to overpower everything else.
  • If you're making this ahead, dress it no more than thirty minutes before serving or the cucumbers will start to lose their snap.
03 -
  • If you can't find English cucumbers, Persian cucumbers are the next best thing, but avoid the watery regular salad cucumbers.
  • A squeeze of fresh lime juice added to the dressing at the end can lift everything if you're feeling like it needs one more dimension.
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