SPICY CHINESE CUCUMBER SALAD RECIPES

Steps:

• Rinse cucumbers and pat dry. Cut crosswise into pieces about 4 inches long. Cut each piece in half lengthwise.
• On a work surface, place a piece of cucumber (or several) cut side down. Lay the blade of a large knife flat on top the cucumber and smash down lightly with your other hand. The skin will begin to crack, the flesh will break down and the seeds will separate. Repeat until the whole piece is smashed. Break or slice diagonally into bite-size pieces, leaving the seeds behind.
• Place the cucumber pieces in a strainer and toss with a big pinch of salt and a big pinch of sugar. Place a plastic bag filled with ice on top of the cucumbers to serve as a weight and place the strainer over a bowl. Let drain 15 to 30 minutes on the counter, or in the refrigerator until ready to serve, up to 4 hours.
• Make the dressing: In a small bowl, combine salt, sugar and rice vinegar. Stir until salt and sugar are dissolved. Stir in sesame oil and soy sauce.
• When ready to serve, shake cucumbers well to drain off any remaining liquid and transfer to a serving bowl. Drizzle with grapeseed or olive oil and toss. Add half the dressing, half the garlic and the red pepper flakes to taste, and toss. Keep adding dressing until cucumbers are well coated but not drowned. Taste and add more pepper flakes and garlic if needed. Serve immediately, garnished with cilantro and sesame seeds.

Steps:

• Cut the two ends of cucumber off and peel the tough part off. Then cut the cucumber into thin slices.
• Sprinkle salt on cucumber evenly to pick for around 1 to 2 hours.
• Squeeze the salt water out, add vinegar, sesame oil, cold water and mashed garlic in the bowl with the cucumber slices.
• Heat up oil in a pan, add chopped chili pepper and Sichuan peppercorn until you can smell the aroma. And then pour it evenly on the cucumber. (or you can simple add some chili oil or Sichuan peppercorn oil).
• Enjoy!