Side · Chinese cuisine

Sesame Cucumber Salad

Name: Sesame Cucumber Salad
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 2 medium Cucumber; 1/2 tsp Salt; 2 tsp Sesame Seed Oil; 2 tablespoons Rice Vinegar; 6 Basil Leaves; 1/2 tsp Red Chilli Flakes; 2 tsp Sesame Seed

7 ingredients Cuisine: Chinese Video included

This cold sesame cucumber salad represents the Chinese principle of balancing textures: silky oil coating crisp vegetables. The technique of salting cucumbers before dressing draws out water, concentrating their flavor while keeping them snappy. Toasted sesame oil does the real work here, its nutty depth transforming simple vegetables into something worth returning to repeatedly, especially during warm months when you need something fresh but substantive.

Instructions

Prep the cucumbers: Peel the cucumbers.

Cut them into quarters, lengthwise. (If the seeds are bitter, scrape out the seeds and discard.) Cut the cucumbers again, crosswise, into 1/2-inch thick pieces.

Toss the salad: Place cucumbers into a serving bowl.

Sprinkle with salt.

Toss with sesame oil, seasoned rice vinegar, basil (if using), and chili flakes.

Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds if using..