Smacked Cucumber Salad
拍黄瓜 (pāi huáng guā). Smacked cucumber salad is simple and can be prepared in no time. You don't even need to turn on your stove. If you want to make this salad ahead of time, keep the cucumber and the dressing separate in the fridge and mix them right before serving. This is the best cucumber salad because the smacking creates many bruises and allows the seasonings to infuse into the cucumber. Souped Up Swap: I recommend using Chinese black vinegar for authenticity. However, it is not easy to find outside China, so apple cider vinegar is the best option, as the slightly fruity flavor accompanies the cucumber well.
⏱️ Prep: 20 min
Ingredients
| 350 g | cucumber |
| 4.3 g / 3/4 tsp | salt |
| 6 g | garlic (about 2 cloves) |
| 6 g | Thai bird's eye chilies (about 3) |
| 9 g | diced cilantro (about 3 Tbsps) |
| 16.6 g / 1 Tbsp | soy sauce |
| 16 g / 1 Tbsp | Chinese black vinegar or apple cider vinegar |
| 13.6 g / 1 Tbsp | red chili oil |
| 2.1 g / 1/2 tsp | sugar |
| 4.5 g / 1 tsp | sesame oil |
Instructions
- Smack the cucumber with a heavy-duty cleaver until the cucumber starts to split lengthwise. Then cut the cucumber diagonally into 2-inch-long pieces. If you don't have a cleaver, use a rolling pin or a hammer meat tenderizer. It is best to use cucumbers that have thin skin and tender seeds; otherwise, you have to remove the seeds and peel the skin for a better texture.
- Add the cucumber and salt into a big mixing bowl and toss thoroughly. Let the mixture sit for 15 minutes to draw out some moisture.
- While waiting, grate the garlic and dice the Thai bird's eye chilies and cilantro.
- To make the dressing, combine the garlic, cilantro, Thai bird's eye chilies, soy sauce, red chili oil, vinegar, sugar, and sesame oil in a bowl and mix well.
- After 15 minutes, squeeze the cucumber as much as you can to discard the excess liquid.
- Mix the cucumber with the dressing thoroughly and serve as a side dish.