Japanese-Style Cucumber Salad
User Reviews
5
Japanese-Style Cucumber Salad
Description
This Japanese-Style Cucumber Salad combines thinly sliced cucumber ribbons, either kirby or English variety, with an aromatic ginger dressing made from olive oil, rice vinegar, grated ginger, and subtle seasoning including a hint of soy sauce and optional lemongrass. The method involves preparing the dressing in advance to let the flavors mature, then layering the cucumber slices with fresh mint and cilantro which provide a cooling contrast to the tangy, slightly sweet dressing.
The texture balances the crisp cucumber ribbons with the smooth olive oil dressing, creating an appetizing mouthfeel. Minimal preparation with no cooking is required, relying on fresh ingredients and a well-balanced dressing to bring out natural flavors.
Typically served chilled, this salad works well as a palate cleanser or alongside grilled or fried dishes offering a refreshing counterpoint. It can be prepared ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for several hours to deepen the ginger flavor without losing crunch.
Ingredients
For the ginger dressing
- 6 tablespoons olive oil
- 3 tablespoons rice vinegar unseasoned
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 1 large thumb-size piece ginger peeled and finely grated or cut into very fine slivers
- 1 tick lemongrass outer leaves removed, inner ones finely chopped (optional)
- salt to taste, sea salt; freshly ground black pepper
- black pepper to taste, sea salt; freshly ground black pepper
- A few drops soy sauce to taste
For the cucumber salad
- 3 kirby cucumber unpeeled but rinsed, or 1 large English or Japanese cucumber
- cilantro roughly chopped or left whole, handful; leaves
- mint roughly chopped or ripped into pieces, handful leaves
Instructions
Make the ginger dressing
- Mix everything together in a bowl. Taste and adjust the ingredients accordingly. (You can cover and refrigerate for up to several hours before the ginger flavor will become really quite pronounced.)
Make the cucumber salad
- Thinly slice the cucumber(s) lengthwise, either with a mandoline, a handheld slicer, or one of those cheap old potato peelers. Basically you want to get very thin ribbons of cucumber.
- Place the ribbons on a plate or platter and spread them out. (You can cover and refrigerate for up to several hours.) Sprinkle with some ripped up fresh mint and cilantro and drizzle generously with the ginger dressing.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4servings
Amount Per Serving
Calories 223 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1serving | |
| Calories | 223kcal | 11% |
| Carbohydrates | 7g | 2% |
| Protein | 1g | 2% |
| Fat | 21g | 32% |
| Saturated Fat | 3g | 15% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 15g | 75% |
| Sodium | 5mg | 0% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 4g | 8% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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