Smashed Cucumber Salad

Smashed Cucumber Salad

This Asian inspired simple salad is full of flavor and when chilled is quite refreshing! I’ve been making variations of this dish for years but giving the Cucumber a good smash was new to me and I loved it! The purpose of doing so is to split the skin, help the seeds come out and create a more delightful texture while exposing more surface to the dressing.

Serves 2

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Ingredients

1 large English or Hot House Cucumber (any variety with a thin skin)

1 -2 cloves of Garlic minced or pressed

1 1/2 (5-7.5 ml) tsp Toasted Sesame Oil

1 1/2 Tbsp (15 - 23 ml) of Rice Vinegar

2 tsp (10 ml) Light Soy Sauce or Tamari

1 tsp (5 ml) Dark Soy Sauce

1/2 - 1 tsp (2.5 -5 ml) of Chili Oil or to taste if you like spice

2 tsp (10 g) of Sugar

1-2 tsp (5-10 g) of toasted Sesame Seeds

Salt & Pepper to taste

Directions

1. Begin by cutting the ends off of the Cucumber. Using the flat part of the blade of a wide knife, smash down the length of the Cucumber. It will naturally break into four pieces. Rroughly chop those pieces on the diagonal.

2.Place them in a bowl or on a large plate. (This is optional but you can chill the Cucumber for 10 minutes)

3.Mix the Garlic, Toasted Sesame Oil, Rice Vinegar, Soy Sauce, Sugar, Chili Oil, Salt & Pepper together and pour over the smashed Cucumber.

4.Top with toasted Sesame Seeds and serve.