Why do Chinese smash cucumbers for their salads instead of slicing them? The answer may surprise you and elevate your taste buds to a whole new level! You will absolutely love this smashed cucumber salad recipe!
Chinese Smashed Cucumber Salad Recipe
Serving: 2 to 4
Prep time: 15 minutes
Rest time: 10 minutes
Cook time: 5 minutes
For the salad:
6 mini cucumbers
½ teaspoon sugar
3 tablespoons toasted peanuts
1 tablespoon cilantro
For the dressing:
1 tablespoon roasted sesame seeds
3 cloves garlic, minced
¼ medium shallot, finely diced
1 medium red finger hot pepper
1 tablespoon red chili flakes
3 tablespoons oil
1 tablespoon Chinkiang vinegar
2 tablespoons soy sauce
Chinese Smashed Cucumber Salad Instructions
To prepare the cucumbers:
- After thoroughly cleaning the cucumbers, cut out the tips. With the flat side of a knife, smash each cucumber. Cut the cucumber into small pieces. Do the same with the rest. (See! The cucumbers break apart into uneven pieces and create more surface areas. They will release the liquid and absorb the dressing much better this way.)
- On a plate, place the cucumbers inside, and season them with sugar. (Sugar helps the cucumber to release its liquid and stay crunchy for a very long time. It’s a lot tastier than using salt.)
- Mix together. Rest for 10 minutes. Discard the liquid.
To make the dressing:
- In a bowl, mix together the sesame seeds, garlic, shallot, red finger hot pepper, and red chili flakes.
- In a small pan over high heat, pour the oil inside, and heat it until smoking hot.
- Carefully pour the hot oil over the sesame seeds, garlic, shallot, red finger hot pepper, and red chili flakes. Mix in the Chinkiang vinegar and soy sauce.
To serve:
- Scoop the sauce over the cucumbers. Then add the toasted peanuts and cilantro. Mix well and enjoy!
Did you know?
- Chinese love to eat cucumber during summer because it’s a type of cooling food. It helps us to beat the summer heat. Please comment below and let me know what’s your favorite summer food.
- According to traditional Chinese medicine, eating a little spicy food in the summer can help the sweat to come out and cool down the body naturally.
- The Chinese Smashed Cucumber Salad is perfect for summer. It’s incredibly tasty and refreshing. Additionally, I find meditation to be highly effective in calming the mind and cooling down the body. Give them a try and let me know what you think about them.
