Sweet and Spicy Smashed Cucumber Salad
User Reviews
5
Sweet and Spicy Smashed Cucumber Salad
Description
This salad starts by smashing cucumbers to break them into bite-sized, uneven chunks that retain a crisp texture. They are salted and left to drain excess water, which prevents a watery salad. Thinly sliced peaches add a natural sweetness and soft contrast to the crisp cucumbers.
The dressing is a sweet and spicy vinaigrette made by combining crushed garlic, red pepper flakes, red wine vinegar, maple syrup, and extra virgin olive oil. This mixture infuses bright acidity and mild heat, balanced with sweetness. Black pepper and salt are added to taste. Toasting pine nuts brings out their nutty flavor, which along with the golden raisins, contributes a contrast in texture and a mild sweetness. Fresh basil slivers finish the salad with a herbal tone.
This salad works well as a light side dish or refreshing appetizer, especially during warm weather. The combination of sweet peaches, spicy vinaigrette, and crunchy, slightly softened cucumbers provides a lively and balanced flavor experience.
Ingredients
- 5-6 cucumber or 1 large English cucumber, mini Persian
- 2-3 peach sliced, ripe but firm
Sweet and Spicy Vinaigrette
- 2 garlic crushed, cloves
- ½ teaspoon red pepper flakes plus more to taste
- 2 tablespoons red wine vinegar
- 1 teaspoon pure maple syrup
- 2 tablespoons extra virgin olive oil good-quality
- salt Kosher, to taste
- black pepper Kosher, to taste
- 2-3 tablespoons pine nuts
- 2-3 tablespoons golden raisins
- basil leaves slivered, one handful; fresh
Instructions
- Smash the cucumbers. Using the back of a heavy knife, smash down on each cucumber using the widest part of the blade (similar to smashing down on a garlic clove to remove its peel) until the cucumber cracks open into a few pieces.1. NOTE: If using a large English cucumber, cut the cucumber into three segments before smashing.
- Using your hands, tear the smashed cucumbers into rough chunks.
- Place the cucumber chunks in a colander and sprinkle with a bit of kosher salt. Place the colander on top of a bowl. Allow the cucumbers to rest for at least 15 minutes, or up to 1 hour. Discard any liquid collected in the bowl.
- Meanwhile, toast the pine nuts. To toast pine nuts, add them to a dry skillet over medium-low heat and toss occasionally until golden brown, 3-5 minutes.
- Meanwhile, make the Sweet and Spicy Vinaigrette. Crush the garlic cloves. Add them to a bowl, along with the red pepper flakes, vinegar, and maple syrup. Whisk to combine, then stream in the olive oil, whisking as you go. Season to taste with salt and pepper.1. Alternatively, add all of the ingredients to a jar, close the lid, and shake up the jar until the dressing is emulsified.
- Add the drained cucumbers to a large serving bowl.
- Slice the peaches (don’t slice earlier, as they tend to bruise). Add the sliced peaches to the cucumbers, and then toss them with the Sweet and Spicy Vinaigrette. Top with the toasted pine nuts, golden raisins and slivered basil. Taste, and adds salt and pepper as needed.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4as a side
Amount Per Serving
Calories 161 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 161kcal | 8% |
| Carbohydrates | 17g | 6% |
| Protein | 2g | 4% |
| Fat | 11g | 17% |
| Saturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 3g | 18% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Sodium | 141mg | 6% |
| Potassium | 217mg | 5% |
| Fiber | 2g | 8% |
| Sugar | 12g | 24% |
| Vitamin A | 361IU | 7% |
| Vitamin C | 4mg | 4% |
| Calcium | 17mg | 2% |
| Iron | 1mg | 6% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
You'll Also Love
