Chinese Smashed Cucumber Salad (拍黃瓜)
In the sweltering heat of summer, cold mixed vegetables are particularly popular, such as this dish of chinese smashed cucumber salad (拍黃瓜). Its combination of sweet, sour, salty, and spicy flavors is incredibly refreshing. Enjoying a bowl of this chinese smashed cucumber salad while watching TV, accompanied by a bowl of rice or a bottle of beer, is simply delightful. It's a taste of heaven on earth during hot summer days.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 cucumber
DIRECTIONS
Prepare the ingredients you need.
Rinse the cucumbers thoroughly, cut off the stems at both ends, smash them with a knife, then cut them into pieces.
Tips:
You can soak the cucumbers in salt water for 15-20 minutes before rinsing. Soaking in salt water can better remove pesticide residues and make the cucumbers crunchier. If you're not good at smashing cucumbers with a knife, you can also use a rolling pin or a flat bottle, or simply use your fist to smash them. If the cucumber skin is too thick, you can scrape it off, and if there are too many cucumber seeds, you can remove them.
Place the cucumbers in a bowl, sprinkle with 1 teaspoon of salt, let them marinate for 5 minutes, pour off the excess liquid, and set aside.
Tips:
Marinating the smashed cucumbers helps remove excess moisture, making them crisper and more refreshing.
While marinating, chop the cilantro, green onions, finger hot pepper, and garlic.
In a bowl, add chili powder, white sesame seeds, finger hot pepper, green onions, and cilantro.
Heat a suitable amount of cooking oil in a pan.
Pour the hot oil into the bowl to release the aroma.
Add light soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, oyster sauce, and sesame oil.
Stir well with a spoon to make the dressing.
Tips:
If you make too much dressing, it's okay. You can use the leftovers to dress other dishes or as a dipping sauce.
Add the dressing to the marinated cucumbers, mix well, and serve.
Tips:
To enhance this cold dish, you can also add some fried peanuts, black fungus, or other ingredients according to your preference.
Super appetizing and refreshing chinese smashed cucumber salad is ready to serve.
Tips:
Refrigerate the chinese smashed cucumber salad for at least 30 minutes before serving for a crisper and more flavorful taste!