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Asian Smashed Cucumbers
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Want to wow your guests with a side that doesn’t include mayo? Than this is the salad for you. Smashing the cukes gives them more surface area for the salty burst of umami from the soy and rice vinegar. Summer salads don’t get much better!
serves 4-6

Ingredients

About 2 pounds cucumbers

1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for cucumbers

2 teaspoons granulated sugar, plus more for cucumbers

1 ½ tablespoons rice vinegar

2 teaspoons sesame oil

2 teaspoons soy sauce

1 tablespoon grapeseed or extra-virgin olive oil

2 large garlic cloves (minced)

 Red pepper flakes, to taste

 Small handful whole cilantro leaves, for garnish

2 teaspoons toasted white sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)

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Asian Smashed Cucumbers
  • I'm a dairy free recipe!
  • I'm a gluten-free recipe!
  • I'm a heart healthy recipe!
  • I'm a low sodium recipe!
  • I'm a vegan recipe!
  • I'm a vegetarian recipe!

Directions

  1. Rinse cucumbers and pat dry. Cut crosswise into pieces about 4 inches long. Cut each piece in half lengthwise.
  2. 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.
  3. Place the cucumber pieces in a strainer and toss with a big pinch of salt and a big pinch of sugar. Place the strainer over a bowl and let drain 15-30 minutes on the counter, or in the refrigerator until ready to serve, up to 4 hours.
  4. 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.
  5. When ready to serve, shake cucumbers well (or squeeze with a towel) 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.
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