Best Ponzu Smashed Cucumber Salad Recipes

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PONZU SMASHED CUCUMBER SALAD



Ponzu Smashed Cucumber Salad image

Provided by Valerie Bertinelli

Categories     side-dish

Time 45m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 pound Persian cucumbers
Kosher salt
3 tablespoons ponzu sauce
2 teaspoons fresh lemon juice
1 teaspoon coconut aminos or 1/4 teaspoon sugar
1 teaspoon sambal oelek or sriracha
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon finely grated fresh ginger
2 scallions, finely chopped
2 garlic cloves, finely grated
3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro

Steps:

  • Halve the cucumbers lengthwise. Put the cucumbers on a cutting board cut-side down, then use the side of a chef's knife to gently but firmly press down and smash them so that they lightly crack but do not fall apart. Slice the smashed cucumbers into 1-inch pieces.
  • Put the cucumbers in a colander and toss them with 1/4 teaspoon salt. Place a bag of ice on top of them and let them drain for 15 to 30 minutes.
  • Stir the ponzu, lemon juice, coconut aminos, sambal, sesame oil, ginger, scallions and garlic together in a medium bowl. Add the cucumbers and cilantro and toss to combine.

SMASHED CUCUMBER SALAD



Smashed Cucumber Salad image

This refreshing, flavorful salad stars Chinese black vinegar with light soy sauce as its milder sidekick. Smashed cucumber salad (pai huang gua in Mandarin) is a staple side dish in many Chinese restaurants, and I've often ordered it along with soup dumplings for a light meal. Chinese black vinegar has a deep and slightly smoky flavor, mild acidity and faint sweetness. The salad usually includes garlic and sesame seeds or sesame oil, and some variations add chiles or Sichuan peppercorn; this version uses gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes) for a touch of heat, which isn't traditional but gives the salad a nice red hue and balanced spiciness. Smashing the cucumber helps to create jagged edges so there is more surface area to absorb the dressing, while salting the cucumber softens the skin, firms up the flesh and releases some water, concentrating the cucumber's flavor.

Provided by Food Network Kitchen

Categories     side-dish

Time 1h15m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

1 firm English cucumber (about 14 ounces)
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon neutral oil, such as vegetable, canola or grapeseed
1 small shallot, peeled and thinly sliced into half-moons (about 1/4 cup)
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 teaspoon gochugaru (Korean red pepper flakes), or to taste
2 tablespoons Chinese black vinegar, such as Chinkiang Vinegar
1 tablespoon light soy sauce
1 1/2 teaspoons granulated sugar
1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
Fresh cilantro leaves, for garnish

Steps:

  • Partially peel the cucumbers by removing alternate strips of the skin with a vegetable peeler. Cut the cucumber in half lengthwise, then use a spoon to scrape out the seeds. Smash the cucumber with a flat side of a cleaver or large knife or a rolling pin or meat mallet until it is flattened with jagged edges. Split each cucumber half in half again lengthwise. Cut the strips into 1-inch pieces diagonally.
  • Toss the cucumber and salt together in a medium bowl. Let sit at room temperature until the cucumber releases some water, about 1 hour.
  • Meanwhile, combine the oil, shallot and garlic in a small saucepan and cook over medium-low heat until the shallot is translucent, about 2 minutes. Mix in the gochugaru and allow it to bloom in the oil. Stir the vinegar, soy sauce, sugar and 1/2 teaspoon sesame seeds together in a small bowl until the sugar dissolves. Set aside.
  • Strain the cucumbers and dry them with a paper towel. Return them to the medium bowl. Add the vinegar mixture and toss. Toss again with the garlic-shallot oil. Garnish with the remaining sesame seeds and the cilantro.

SMASHED CUCUMBER SALAD WITH MINT



Smashed Cucumber Salad with Mint image

Provided by Molly Yeh

Categories     side-dish

Time 1h10m

Yield 4 servings

Number Of Ingredients 9

6 Persian cucumbers
Kosher salt
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1/2 small red onion, thinly sliced
1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, finely chopped
1 tablespoon olive oil
2 teaspoons za'atar
2 radishes, thinly sliced
Freshly ground black pepper

Steps:

  • Place the cucumbers in a large ziptop bag and smash them with a heavy skillet. Chop into 3/4-inch pieces, place in a colander with a pinch of salt and let sit for 30 minutes.
  • Meanwhile, in a large bowl, combine the lemon juice and onion and let sit until the cucumbers are ready.
  • Add the cucumbers to the bowl with the onion. Toss with the mint, olive oil, za'atar, radishes and a few turns of pepper. Refrigerate for at least 30 minutes before serving.

SMASHED CHINESE CUCUMBER SALAD



Smashed Chinese Cucumber Salad image

Smashing cucumbers is a delicious and rustically beautiful preparation that is common across Asia. Smashing them creates a variety of different textures, and draining them concentrates the flavor. This is a simple-to-prepare dish but it packs personality!

Provided by Molly Yeh

Time 15m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 8

1 pound Persian or mini cucumbers
1 teaspoon kosher salt
1 tablespoon soy sauce
1 tablespoon Chinese black vinegar
2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
1 teaspoon sugar
1/2 teaspoon crushed red chile flakes
Toasted sesame seeds and fresh cilantro, for garnish

Steps:

  • Place the cucumbers in a resealable plastic bag. Seal and use the palm of your hand to lightly smash the cucumbers. Take the cucumbers out of the bag and cut into 1-inch chunks. Add to a bowl and season with salt. Toss to coat.
  • Combine the soy sauce, vinegar, sesame oil, sugar and chile flakes in a medium bowl. Whisk to dissolve the sugar.
  • Add the cucumbers, then toss and garnish with the toasted sesame seeds and cilantro.

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