Smashed Cucumber with Garlic Sauce
Experience the vibrant flavors of this classic Chinese Smashed Cucumber Salad, featuring crisp, refreshing cucumbers expertly smashed to absorb a potent garlic-infused sauce. Each bite offers a delightful balance of savory, tangy, and subtly spicy notes, making it an irresistible appetizer or light side dish.
Izvirni recept avtorja Forkin
- Skupni čas
- 25 min
- Porcije
- 4
- Zahtevnost
- Lahko
- Na porcijo
- 46 kcal
Informacije o alergenih: lahko vsebuje gluten, sezam in soja. Če imate alergijo, vedno preverite embalažo sestavin.
Priprava
Sestavine
Sestavine
- 2 koscucumber, halved lengthwise, deseeded, and cut into 5cm pieces
- 0,5 žličkasalt
sauce
- 4 strokgarlic, minced
- 2 žlicasoy sauce, gluten-free if needed
- 1 žlicablack vinegar
- 1 žličkasesame oil
- 1 žličkachili oil
- 0,5 žličkasugar
garnish
- 2 žlicacilantro, chopped(neobvezno)
Oprema
Cutting board · Chef's knife · Colander · Small mixing bowl · Serving bowl · Paper towels · Garlic press (neobvezno) · Meat mallet (neobvezno)
Postopek
Korak za korakom
- 1
Wash and trim the ends from the cucumbers.
Približno 1 min
Kuharjeva opomba: Choose firm, unblemished cucumbers for the best texture and flavor.
- 2
Place the cucumber pieces on a sturdy cutting board.
- 3
Use the flat side of a chef's knife or a meat mallet to gently but firmly smash each cucumber piece until it cracks and flattens slightly, revealing its inner flesh.
Približno 3 min
Kuharjeva opomba: Smashing the cucumbers creates a craggy surface that allows them to absorb the dressing more effectively, enhancing flavor and texture.
- 4
Transfer the smashed cucumbers to a colander and sprinkle evenly with salt.
Približno 1 min
Kuharjeva opomba: The salt helps draw out excess moisture, preventing a watery salad and keeping the cucumbers crisp.
- 5
Toss the cucumbers gently to ensure they are well coated with salt.
Približno 1 min
- 6
Allow the salted cucumbers to rest in the colander for 10 minutes to release their excess water.
Približno 10 min
Kuharjeva opomba: This resting period is crucial for achieving the desired crisp texture.
- 7
While the cucumbers are resting, finely mince the garlic cloves.
Približno 2 min
Kuharjeva opomba: For a more pungent garlic flavor, you can use a garlic press.
- 8
In a small mixing bowl, combine the minced garlic, soy sauce, black vinegar, sesame oil, chili oil, and sugar.
Približno 2 min
Kuharjeva opomba: Taste the sauce and adjust the amount of chili oil to your preferred level of spice.
- 9
Gently squeeze the rested cucumbers dry using paper towels or a clean kitchen towel to remove as much liquid as possible.
Približno 2 min
Kuharjeva opomba: Thoroughly drying the cucumbers ensures the dressing adheres well and prevents dilution.
- 10
Place the dried cucumbers into a clean serving bowl.
- 11
Pour the prepared garlic sauce evenly over the cucumbers.
Približno 1 min
- 12
Toss gently to ensure all the cucumber pieces are thoroughly coated with the flavorful sauce.
Približno 1 min
Kuharjeva opomba: Use tongs or a large spoon to avoid over-handling the delicate cucumbers.
- 13
Garnish the salad with freshly chopped cilantro, if desired.
Približno 1 min
Kuharjeva opomba: Cilantro adds a fresh, herbaceous note that complements the savory sauce.
- 14
Serve immediately to enjoy the optimal crispness and flavor.
Na porcijo
Hranilne vrednosti
- Kalorije
- 46,1kcal
- Beljakovine
- 1,8g
- Ogljikovi hidrati
- 7,7g
- Maščobe
- 1,4g
- Vlaknine
- 0,9g
- Sladkorji
- 3,1g
Ocena temelji na količinah sestavin v receptu. Vrednosti se lahko razlikujejo glede na znamke in zamenjave.
Pravilno shranjevanje
This vibrant salad pairs wonderfully with rich or spicy main courses, offering a refreshing counterpoint. It's also a fantastic light lunch option on its own. For an extra layer of flavor, consider toasting a few sesame seeds and sprinkling them over the top just before serving. This recipe is naturally gluten-free if using tamari instead of soy sauce.
Store any leftover smashed cucumber salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
This dish is best served chilled and fresh. Reheating is not recommended as it will compromise the texture of the cucumbers.