Ingredients:
- 1 large English cucumber (or 2-3 Japanese/Kirby cucumbers)
- 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt (or sea salt)
- 1 tablespoon Chef Kaz Tomato Ponzu (or more, to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon chopped roasted peanuts (optional, for crunch)
- 6-8 small fresh mint leaves, thinly sliced
- 1/4 to 1/2 small red chili (like Thai bird chili or jalapeño), thinly sliced (adjust to your preferred spice level)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the Cucumber:
- Slice the cucumber very thinly. For English cucumbers, you can slice them into half-moons by cutting the cucumber lengthwise first, then slicing.
- Place the cucumber slices in a bowl and sprinkle with the 1/2 teaspoon of salt.
- Toss gently to coat the slices evenly. Let the cucumbers sit for 10-15 minutes.
2. Rinse and Dry
- After 10-15 minutes, the cucumbers will have released liquid. Transfer the slices to a fine-mesh sieve or colander.
- Rinse them briefly under cold running water to wash away the excess salt.
- Pat the cucumber slices very well with a clean kitchen towel or paper towels to remove as much moisture as possible. This is crucial for a crisp salad.
3. Assemble the Salad:
- Place the dried, lightly salted cucumber slices into a clean serving bowl or arrange them neatly on a plate.
- Drizzle the Chef Kaz Tomato Ponzu evenly over the cucumbers. Start with 1 tablespoon—you can always add more—as the cucumbers are already seasoned.
4. Garnish and Serve:
- Sprinkle the toasted sesame seeds and/or chopped peanuts over the salad.
- Scatter the thinly sliced mint leaves and red chili slices across the top.
- Serve immediately for the best texture.
Chef's Notes
-
Prep Ahead: You can prepare the salted, rinsed, and dried cucumbers up to a few hours in advance and store them in the refrigerator. Dress and garnish just before serving.
-
Spice Level: For less heat, remove the seeds and membranes from the red chili before slicing. For more heat, use a spicier pepper or increase the amount.
- Extra Crispiness and Color: For extra crispiness and more color, you can add sliced radish and/or your favorite crispy vegetables (like thinly sliced bell peppers, red onion, or carrots) to the mix before dressing.
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