Chinese🥬 Vegetables

Smashed Cucumber Salad

Name: Smashed Cucumber Salad
Total time: 40 min
Cuisine: Chinese
Ingredients: 2 cucumbers; ¼ red bell pepper; 1 tsp salt; 1 tsp sugar; 3-4 garlic cloves; ½ tsp chili sauce; 1 tbsp light soy sauce; 1 tbsp oyster sauce; 2 tbsp vinegar; 2 tbsp sugar; 2 green onions; ~¼ cups cilantro; ½ tbsp sesame oil; ½ tbsp cooking oil; ~2 tbsp sesame seeds

⏱ 40 min

A quick and easy appetizer with a zesty, spicy flavor profile. The smashed cucumbers absorb the seasoning well when combined with a balanced sauce that is sour, sweet, spicy, and salty—designed to awaken the appetite.

Adapted from a video by Made With Lau

🥒 Smashed Cucumbers: Your new favorite salad! (拍黃瓜)

Watch on YouTube

Ingredients

cucumberspreferably English cucumbers, peel in alternating stripes, and remove some of the watery core2
red bell pepperabout 2 oz, sliced thin¼
salt1 tsp
sugar1 tsp
garlic clovesmashed into a paste3-4
chili saucehomemade preferred½ tsp
light soy sauce1 tbsp
oyster sauce

Steps

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1
Wash the cucumbers and trim the ends. Peel the skin in alternating stripes rather than completely, so the cucumber remains tender and looks appealing.
2
Cut the cucumber lengthwise in half. Remove most of the watery core and seeds to prevent the salad from becoming too diluted.
3
Use a cleaver to smash the cucumber halves firmly, which loosens the flesh and allows seasoning to penetrate better than chopping. After smashing, slice at an angle into roughly half-inch-thick pieces.
4
Slice the red bell pepper thinly, then cut into roughly half-inch pieces. Use about one-quarter of a red bell pepper.
5
Chop two green onions into small pieces. Cut cilantro into inch-long pieces.
6
Place the smashed cucumbers in a bowl. Add 1 teaspoon of salt and 1 teaspoon of sugar, mixing well. Add the red bell pepper and toss. Let sit for 30 minutes to draw out moisture (you can skip or shorten this step if time is limited).
7
Peel 3–4 garlic cloves. Using the flat side of a cleaver, smash each clove while holding it down, gradually working it into a paste.
8
Make the sauce by combining 1/2 teaspoon chili sauce, 1 tablespoon light soy sauce, 1 tablespoon oyster sauce, 2 tablespoons vinegar, and 2 tablespoons sugar. Taste and adjust as needed (add more soy sauce if desired). Stir in the garlic paste.
9
After 30 minutes, drain the cucumbers and bell peppers well, pressing them to squeeze out excess liquid. Return the vegetables to the large bowl.
10
Pour the sauce over the cucumbers and bell peppers. Add the chopped green onions. Cover with a plate and shake vigorously for about 30 seconds to allow the vegetables to absorb the sauce.
11
Add the cilantro (optional), sesame seeds, 1/2 tablespoon sesame oil, and 1/2 tablespoon cooking oil. Mix gently and taste, adjusting flavors as desired.
12
Transfer the smashed cucumber salad to a serving plate, making sure to include all the delicious sauce.

Smashed Cucumber Salad

Ingredients

Steps

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