SPICY CUCUMBER SALAD
Growing up my mom would always make me a simple cucumber salad when we were having schnitzel or chicken breasts and it only had vinegar, sugar, oil, and water in it. This is a little more complicated but super yummie and a nice side dish to any meal.
Prep 25m Cook 25m
Ingredients:
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2 large hothouse cucumbers (about 1 1⁄2 lbs.)
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3 tbsp. rice wine vinegar
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2 tbsp. kosher salt
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1 tbsp. sugar
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1⁄4 cup vegetable oil
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5 cloves garlic, roughly chopped
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1 tbsp. crushed red chile flakes
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1 tsp. Sichuan peppercorns
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1 tsp. toasted sesame oil
Directions:
On a work surface, use a rolling pin or heavy can to gently pound each cucumber until it begins to split. Cut each cucumber lengthwise into quarters and then cut crosswise into 1-inch pieces. Transfer the cucumbers to a bowl and toss with the vinegar, salt, and sugar until evenly combined. Cover with plastic wrap and refrigerate for 30 minutes.
Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, heat the vegetable oil and garlic over medium-low and cook, stirring, until fragrant, 12 to 14 minutes. Stir in the chile flakes and peppercorns and remove the pan from the heat. Let the oil cool and then strain into a medium bowl, discarding the solids.
Remove the cucumbers from the refrigerator, lift the cucumbers and squeeze lightly to drain, and then transfer to the bowl with the chile oil; discard the liquid. Toss the cucumbers with the chile oil and the sesame oil until evenly coated before serving.