Garlic Ginger Cucumbers Recipes

GARLIC-GINGER CUCUMBERS

Steps:

• Quarter cucumbers lengthwise (if longer than 3 inches, halve crosswise first). Toss with sugar and 1 teaspoon salt. Let stand 30 minutes, tossing occasionally. Drain, then toss with rice vinegar and soy sauce.
• Heat safflower oil in a small skillet over medium-high. Add ginger and garlic. Cook, stirring, until fragrant, 30 seconds. Pour over cucumbers; toss to combine. Season again, if desired. Transfer to a serving dish, discarding liquid. Top with sesame seeds and a few drops of chili oil.

CUCUMBER SALAD WITH SOY, GINGER AND GARLIC

Steps:

• Sprinkle the cucumbers with a generous amount of salt and let sit in a colander in the sink for 15 minutes. Rinse and dry on a kitchen towel. Transfer to a salad bowl.
• Whisk together the vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, garlic, ginger, cayenne, and pepper. Whisk in the sesame oil and the sunflower or grapeseed oil. Toss with the cucumbers, scallions, and cilantro. Chill until ready to serve.

CHINESE SMASHED CUCUMBERS WITH SESAME OIL AND GARLIC

Steps:

• Rinse cucumbers and pat dry. Cut crosswise into pieces about 4 inches long. Cut each piece in half lengthwise.
• On a work surface, place a piece of cucumber (or several) cut side down. Lay the blade of a large knife flat on top the cucumber and smash down lightly with your other hand. The skin will begin to crack, the flesh will break down and the seeds will separate. Repeat until the whole piece is smashed. Break or slice diagonally into bite-size pieces, leaving the seeds behind.
• Place the cucumber pieces in a strainer and toss with a big pinch of salt and a big pinch of sugar. Place a plastic bag filled with ice on top of the cucumbers to serve as a weight and place the strainer over a bowl. Let drain 15 to 30 minutes on the counter, or in the refrigerator until ready to serve, up to 4 hours.
• Make the dressing: In a small bowl, combine salt, sugar and rice vinegar. Stir until salt and sugar are dissolved. Stir in sesame oil and soy sauce.
• When ready to serve, shake cucumbers well to drain off any remaining liquid and transfer to a serving bowl. Drizzle with grapeseed or olive oil and toss. Add half the dressing, half the garlic and the red pepper flakes to taste, and toss. Keep adding dressing until cucumbers are well coated but not drowned. Taste and add more pepper flakes and garlic if needed. Serve immediately, garnished with cilantro and sesame seeds.

GINGER-SPICED CUCUMBERS

Steps:

• In a serving bowl, stir together the red wine vinegar, mirin, brown sugar, ginger and lime juice. Add the cucumber and onion, and toss gently to coat. Chill for 30 minutes to blend flavors before serving.