Easy Chinese Cucumber Salad (拍黄瓜)
Are you looking for a refreshing appetizer? You won’t want to miss this Easy Chinese Cucumber Salad (拍黄瓜). Ready in just 10 minutes, it’s a perfect light side dish for everyday meals. With its delicious, tangy, and slightly sweet flavor, it’s a great addition to any family meal.
INGREDIENTS
- 2 cucumbers
DIRECTIONS
Prepare all the ingredients: 2 cucumbers, 3 small chili peppers, 1 clove each of ginger and garlic, 1 sprig each of cilantro and scallion, and all the seasonings.
Wash the cucumbers under running water and trim the ends.
Use the back of a knife to smash and slightly break the cucumbers, then cut them into small pieces.
Add a pinch of salt and let the cucumbers sit for 5 minutes.
Tip:
Salting the cucumbers helps draw out moisture, making them crisper and allowing the flavors to penetrate better.
While the cucumbers are being salted, prepare the other ingredients: wash and finely chop the ginger, garlic, cilantro, and scallion. Also, wash the Sichuan peppercorns and set them aside.
Heat a pan with a suitable amount of olive oil. Add the Sichuan peppercorns to cold oil, and cook until fragrant. Then add the chopped ginger, garlic, and small chili peppers, and sauté until aromatic. Set aside.
Tip:
All the seasonings can be purchased at the store.
Drain the excess moisture from the salted cucumbers and add 1 tablespoon of soy sauce.
Add 1 tablespoon of rice vinegar.
Add 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar.
Add 1 teaspoon of steamed fish soy sauce.
Pour the hot ginger, garlic, cilantro, and chili pepper mixture over the cucumbers, and add 1 tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds.
Mix everything thoroughly.
Your delicious Easy Chinese Cucumber Salad (拍黄瓜) is ready to enjoy!