Smashed Cucumber Salad
Scale:

Ingredients

Cucumber
1 —English cucumber
1 tsp —kosher salt
½ tsp —granulated sugar
Dressing
2 —garlic cloves, crushed
1 tbsp —seasoned rice vinegar
1 tsp —soy sauce
½ tsp —sesame oil
pinch —red pepper flakes
Garnish
1 tbsp —toasted sesame seeds

Method

Prep

  • Put a colander in a mixing bowl
  • optional: Wrap 1 cucumber with plastic to contain the possible mess if you smash too hard
  • Smash the cucumber using a meat tenderizer on a cutting board
  • Cut into bite-sized (1 1⁄2″) pieces
  • Toss the cucumber in the colander with 1 tsp salt and ½ tsp sugar to macerate
  • Refrigerate for 1⁄2–2 hours
  • Meanwhile, make the dressing by whisking together 2 garlic, 1 tbsp vinegar, 1 tsp soy, ½ tsp sesame oil, and pinch red pepper in a small mixing bowl

Assemble salad

  • When ready to serve, toss the cucumber in the dressing
  • Garnish with 1 tbsp sesame seeds

Notes

Minced fresh ginger is amazing in this too.

References