Smashed Cucumber Salad Recipe
In China, cucumbers are considered the ideal foil for hot weather and hot food. Versions of this salad are served all over the country, sometimes spiked with dried chillies and Sichuan peppercorns for more dimensions of flavour.
Cucumbers contain a number of antioxidants to help the body clear any toxins and fight against certain illnesses.
They also promote moisture which is involved in processes like temperature regulation and the transportation of waste products and nutrients. In traditional Chinese medicine, cucumbers help clear the hot yang energy from our bodies.
The concept of smashing the cucumber reflects the release of these benefits. There are other superfoods you can try such as mint, ginger and garlic, which have similar health benefits as cucumbers.
Enough stalling, let’s start the recipe!
Smashed Cucumber Salad Recipe
Ingredients:
- 1/2 cups of peanuts (optional)
- 1 cucumbers
- 1/4 tsp salt
- 8 cloves of garlic
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 1 tbsp vinegar
- 1/2 tsp sugar
- 1 tbsp chilli oil
- 1/2 tsp sesame oil
Instructions:
- Wash and dry garlic. Then finely chop ingredient. Set aside in small bowls.
- Add oil in a pan and heat over low heat.
- Optional: Deep-fry the peanuts in cold oil.
- Once the peanuts get darker, remove and drain the oil. Let cool for 1 hour.
- Wash the cucumbers and chop off the ends. Removing the skin is optional.
- Put the cucumbers whole inside a plastic bag. Beat the cucumber using a rolling pin or side surface of a big knife. Then cut cucumbers to 2-inch strips.
- In a large bowl, mix the millet garlic together with the salt, soy sauce, vinegar, sugar, chilli oil, sesame oil and peanuts. Make sure it is well combined.
- Add in the cucumber and gently toss until they are lightly coated.
- Garnish with sesame seeds if you’d like. Ready to serve!
