Easy & Quick Spicy Asian Cucumber Salad

Ingredients

• 6 Mini cucumbers (or Persian cucumbers; washed and ends removed)
• 2 tsp Salt (to drain water; will be rinsed off)
• 1 tbsp Regular soy sauce
• 2 cloves Garlic (minced)
• 1 tbsp Rice vinegar (or white vinegar)
• 1 tbsp Chinese chili oil
• 1 tbsp White granulated sugar
• 1 tsp Sesame oil
• 1 tsp Sesame seeds
• 2 tbsp Green onion (finely sliced)

Steps

1. 1

   Wash the mini cucumbers and cut off the ends.

2. 2

   Place one cucumber between two chopsticks on a cutting board. Make thin diagonal slices across the top of the cucumber; the chopsticks will prevent you from cutting all the way through. Flip the cucumber over and repeat the diagonal slicing on the other side. Do not cut at a straight angle or the spiral will not work.

3. 3

   Cut the spiraled cucumbers into halves. Repeat the process for all remaining cucumbers and transfer them to a large bowl.

4. 4

   Sprinkle 2 teaspoons of salt over the cucumbers and gently massage it into them. Let the cucumbers sit in the salt for 5 minutes (no more than 10 minutes) at room temperature to extract excess moisture.

5. 5

   Rinse the cucumbers with cold water at least 3-4 times to completely remove the salt. This step is crucial to prevent the final dish from being too salty. Strain well and set aside.

6. 6

   In a separate small bowl, combine the soy sauce, minced garlic, rice vinegar, Chinese chili oil, sugar, sesame oil, sesame seeds, and sliced green onions to create the dressing.

7. 7

   Pour the dressing over the rinsed and strained cucumbers and gently mix to coat. Serve immediately.

Notes

Storage: Leftovers will last up to 3-4 days in an airtight container in the fridge, though they are best consumed fresh or by the next day as they will become saltier and release more water over time. Substitutions: You can use English or Japanese cucumbers if mini cucumbers are unavailable, but avoid seeded American cucumbers.

Nutrition per serving

• appetizer
• side dish
• salad
• spicy
• vegetarian
• vegan
• no-cook
• Asian