Chinese cucumber salad, three ways (黄瓜三吃)
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5.0
42 reviews
Excellent
Chinese cucumber salad, three ways (黄瓜三吃)
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A comprehensive guide on preparing cucumber salads the Chinese way. Three cutting methods are matched with three delicious dressings. A tutorial video is also included.
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Ingredients
Option 1: Smashed cucumber salad
- 1 large cucumber about 400g/14oz
- ½ teaspoon salt
- 3 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 talk scallions, finely chopped
- 3 bird’s eye chillies, finely chopped or other types of chillies
- 1 tablespoon black rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon light soy sauce
- ½ teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
Option 2: Sliced cucumber salad
- 1 large cucumber about 400g/14oz
- 4 radish, thinly sliced
- 1 tablespoon black rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoon light soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon minced ginger
- 1 pinch salt
- 1 drop honey
- toasted sesame seeds
- Coriander optional
Option 3: Coir raincoat cucumber salad
- 8 mini cucumbers
- 2 tablespoon light soy sauce
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- ¼ teaspoon ground Sichuan pepper
- 1 teaspoon chilli powder/chilli flakes
- toasted sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon cooking oil
Instructions
For option 1: Smashed cucumber salad
- Partially peel the skin of the cucumber.
- Use the side of a cleaver to smash the cucumber (Alternatively, you may use a rolling pin). Cut the smashed cucumber into bitesize pieces.
- Add the salt. Mix and leave to rest for 10 mins. Then discard the liquid extracted from the cucumber.
- Add scallions, garlic & fresh chillies. Heat up the oil then pour it over.
- Add soy sauce, black rice vinegar, sugar.
- Cover the bowl with a plate. Shake to mix for 10 seconds. Transfer to a serving bowl/plate.
For option 2: Sliced cucumber salad
- Slice the cucumber lengthways with a vegetable peeler. Stop when the seedy part appears.
- Turn 90 degrees and continue slicing. Repeat to slice all sides.
- Put into a salad bowl (exclude the seedy part). Add radish slices.
- Mix all the other ingredients in a small bowl.
- Right before serving, pour the dressing over. Toss with chopsticks.
For option 3: Coir raincoat cucumber salad
- For the cutting technique, please refer to the tutorial video below.
- Using the tip of the knife as a guide to depth. Thinly slice diagonally to a depth of approximately halfway through the cucumber from one end to the other.
- Turn over to the other side. Slice at right angles to the same depth throughout.
- Mix soy sauce and sugar in a serving bowl/plate. Place cucumbers on top. Leave to rest for 10 mins (toss around halfway). Then discard all the liquid.
- Put ground Sichuan pepper, chilli powder & toasted sesame seed on top of the cucumbers.
- Pour hot oil over the spices. Toss gently then serve (See note 2).
Notes
- Please feel free to mix & match the three cutting methods and the three dressing recipes. For example, use the mala dressing for smashed cucumber, etc.
- A quick alternative for the mala dressing: I highly recommend that you make and store a jar of homemade Chinese chilli oil. Use it as a quick alternative (to replace ground Sichuan pepper, Chilli powder/chilli flakes, sesame seeds & oil).
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Overall Rating
5.0
42 reviews
Excellent
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