Best Smashed Chinese Cucumber Salad Recipes
CHINESE SMASHED CUCUMBERS WITH SESAME OIL AND GARLIC
In China, cucumbers are considered the ideal foil for hot weather and hot food. Versions of this salad, pai huang gua, are served all over the country, sometimes spiked with dried chiles and Sichuan peppercorns for more dimensions of flavor. In Beijing, people buy whole chilled cucumbers from street vendors and munch them on the go, much as Americans become attached to their cups of iced coffee in summer. The smashing process, a classic Chinese technique, cracks the skin, helps release the seeds and splits the flesh into appealing craggy pieces. Salting and chilling the cracked cucumbers give them the perfect cool, crunchy, watery mouth feel.
Provided by Julia Moskin
Categories salads and dressings, side dish
Time 40m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Rinse cucumbers and pat dry. Cut crosswise into pieces about 4 inches long. Cut each piece in half lengthwise.
- On a work surface, place a piece of cucumber (or several) cut side down. Lay the blade of a large knife flat on top the cucumber and smash down lightly with your other hand. The skin will begin to crack, the flesh will break down and the seeds will separate. Repeat until the whole piece is smashed. Break or slice diagonally into bite-size pieces, leaving the seeds behind.
- Place the cucumber pieces in a strainer and toss with a big pinch of salt and a big pinch of sugar. Place a plastic bag filled with ice on top of the cucumbers to serve as a weight and place the strainer over a bowl. Let drain 15 to 30 minutes on the counter, or in the refrigerator until ready to serve, up to 4 hours.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, combine salt, sugar and rice vinegar. Stir until salt and sugar are dissolved. Stir in sesame oil and soy sauce.
- When ready to serve, shake cucumbers well to drain off any remaining liquid and transfer to a serving bowl. Drizzle with grapeseed or olive oil and toss. Add half the dressing, half the garlic and the red pepper flakes to taste, and toss. Keep adding dressing until cucumbers are well coated but not drowned. Taste and add more pepper flakes and garlic if needed. Serve immediately, garnished with cilantro and sesame seeds.
CHINESE SMASHED CUCUMBER SALAD (拍黄瓜)
This salad serves 2 to 4 people. You can double the recipe to make a larger batch. You will have leftover chili oil in this recipe. Toss the chili oil with noodles, rice, or dumplings. Refrigerate the oil and use it within a week. If you need a video demo, watch the video at the bottom of the recipe card.
Provided by Lisa Lin
Categories Sides
Number Of Ingredients 15
Steps:
- The chili oil needs time to infuse so I recommend making this first. You can also make it a day ahead.
- Add the minced garlic, minced ginger, chili flakes, gochugaru, and salt in a heat-proof bowl. You're going to pour hot oil into the bowl, so avoid using bowls that might crack (like glass and some porcelains). I usually use ceramic bowls but a stainless steel mixing bowl or a saucepan works.
- Heat the oil in a saucepan over medium-high heat for 2 to 3 minutes, until the oil reaches 325ºF to 350ºF. You do not want the oil to be any hotter because the gochugaru will burn. If you don't have a thermometer, heat the oil for 2 minutes just to be on the safe side.
- Very carefully pour the hot oil over the spices. (See note 4) Let the oil infuse for at least 30 minutes.
- Slice off the ends of the cucumbers. Then, slice the cucumbers in half, lengthwise.
- Place the cucumber halves, cut side down. Then place the side of the knife over the cucumber. Using the fleshy part of your palm smack the knife to smash the cucumber until it splits. Make sure to smash along the entire length of the cucumber. Then, slice the cucumbers diagonally, about 1/2-inch thick slices. Transfer the cucumber pieces to a bowl.
- Sprinkle a pinch of kosher salt over the cucumbers and mix. Let the cucumbers sit for 20 minutes. Then, drain out the excess water at the bottom of the bowl. (See note 5) You do not need to rinse the cucumbers. (See note 6)
- Add the grated/zested garlic to a bowl and mix it with the rice vinegar. Let that sit for 10 to 15 minutes to mellow out the raw bite of the garlic.
- Add the soy sauce, 2 tablespoons of chili oil (with bits of pepper and spices), sugar, and sesame oil.
- Right before you are ready to serve the cucumber salad, toss the cucumber pieces with the sauce. Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over the cucumber salad for garnish.
- Serve the smashed cucumber salad with jasmine rice, coconut rice, or any of my rice recipes or noodle recipes.
Nutrition Facts : ServingSize 1 serving, Calories 120 kcal, Carbohydrate 11.1 g, Protein 2.4 g, Fat 8.7 g, SaturatedFat 1.3 g, Sodium 895 mg, Fiber 2.4 g, Sugar 4.8 g
SMASHED CUCUMBER SALAD
By crushing our cucumber before we cut it, we produce flavors that un-smashed cukes can't. When you crush the cells in a vegetable, as opposed to cutting cleanly through them, certain compounds get mixed together, which can result in a significantly different flavor. In cucumbers this is a good thing--onions, not so much. But this salad is one of my all-time favorite cold summer side dishes. The only decision you're going to have to make is how long to let the cucumbers marinate--half an hour or so or not at all.
Provided by Chef John
Categories Salad Vegetable Salad Recipes Cucumber Salad Recipes
Time 1h15m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Wrap each cucumber in plastic wrap to minimize splattering. Place on a work surface and pound with a flat object (like a meat pounder) until cucumbers crack and are slightly flattened. Remove from plastic. Cut cucumbers in half; halve each side lengthwise. Slice into 1- to 1 1/2 -inch wide slices. Transfer to a strainer set over a bowl.
- Sprinkle cucumber with sugar and salt; mix until well combined. Refrigerate bowl and strainer for 30 to 60 minutes so cucumber pieces can drain into the bowl.
- Place garlic, seasoned rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes in a large bowl. Whisk together thoroughly.
- Transfer drained cucumbers into bowl with dressing. Toss to coat. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate for about 30 minutes to allow flavors to mingle.
- Place cucumbers in serving bowl and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 28.5 calories, Carbohydrate 3.5 g, Fat 1.4 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 1.3 g, SaturatedFat 0.2 g, Sodium 530.2 mg, Sugar 1.7 g
SMASHED CUCUMBER SALAD
Steps:
- Quarter the cucumbers lengthwise. Put the slices on a cutting board, skin-side-up. Use the flat side of your knife to lightly smash along the length, then cut the cucumbers into 3/4-inch pieces. Toss the cucumbers with 1/2 teaspoon each salt and sugar, then drain in a colander for 20 minutes.
- Whisk together the vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic and remaining 1/2 teaspoon sugar. Add the cucumbers and toss to coat. Sprinkle with crushed red pepper, if using.
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