Szechuan Cucumber Slices Recipes

SZECHUAN CUCUMBERS

Steps:

• Place cucumber slices in medium serving bowl, set aside.
• In a small bowl, combine rice vinegar, sugar, red pepper flakes, salt and sesame oil, mix well.
• Pour dressing over cucumber slices and toss well.
• Cover and let rest at room temperature up to 4 hours.
• Drain cucumbers.
• Garnish with cilantro, if desired, before serving.

SICHUAN CUCUMBER SALAD

Steps:

• Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add red chile peppers; cook and stir until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Let cool and transfer to a spice grinder; pulse until coarsely ground.
• Mix ground chile peppers, soy sauce, spring onion, sesame oil, hot chile oil, brown sugar, garlic, black vinegar, and sesame seeds together in a bowl to make dressing.
• Place cucumbers on a serving plate. Pour dressing on top and toss well. Let sit before serving, about 3 minutes.

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.

SZECHUAN PICKLED CUCUMBER SLICES

Steps:

• 1. Cut the ends off the cucumbers, cut in half lengthwise and use a small spoon to remove the seeds in the middle. Cut lengthwise into thin strips. Place in a colander, sprinkle the salt over and let sit for 1 hour. Drain and pat dry with paper towels.
• 2. Heat the sesame oil on medium heat. Stir in the peppercorn. Stir for about 1 minute, until fragrant. Stir in the ginger and the hot chili oil.
• 3. Turn the heat down and carefully add the red rice vinegar. Stir in the sugar. Bring to a boil, stirring to dissolve the sugar. Remove from the heat and stir in the cucumbers.
• 4. Transfer to a dish, cover and refrigerate overnight or 2 days. Toss again before serving.

JUST CUCUMBER SLICES

Steps:

• In a bowl toss together the cucumbers, onion, if using, and dill.
• Combine sugar, vinegar, water and salt and bring to a boil.
• Pour over cucumbers.
• Stir to coat.
• Cover and refrigerate 3 hours or overnight.