Sichuan Style Cucumber Salad

Refreshing but Spicy Cucumber Salad

This refreshing Sichuan style cucumber salad is perfect as a side dish to other dishes from Sichuan cuisine. The trick: The cucumber is lightly smashed before cutting so it can absorb the dressing better.

Ingredients for 2-3 servings

For the Salad

  • 1 cucumber
  • 2 spring onions
  • 1 tsp roasted white sesame seeds

For the Dressing

  • 2 tbsp crispy chili oil (e.g. Laoganma)
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1 tbsp light soy sauce
  • 1 tsp roasted sesame oil

Preparation

First, lightly smash the cucumber with a meat tenderizer or rolling pin so that the skin cracks slightly and the cucumber gets small fissures. This allows it to absorb the dressing better later.

Then quarter the smashed cucumber lengthwise and cut into pieces about one inch in size.

Next, put the crispy chili oil, rice vinegar, light soy sauce and sesame oil in a small bowl and mix everything thoroughly.

Now cut the spring onions into rings and mix them with the cucumber pieces. Dress with the dressing and mix well until the entire salad takes on a reddish color.

Arrange the finished salad on a serving plate, sprinkle with sesame seeds and serve immediately.

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