Szechuan Pickled Cucumber Slices Recipes

SZECHUAN CUCUMBER SLICES

Steps:

• Wash cucumbers, cut in half lengthwise and remove seeds. Cut cucumber halves into 1/2 inch slices. Place in medium bowl, sprinkle with salt and let stand for 4 hours.
• Squeeze liquid from cucumbers and rinse, place with garlic and red peppers in serving dish.
• Heat sesame oil in a small saucepan over high heat until it begins to smoke. Pour over cucumber slices. Heat vinegar in small saucepan until it boils. Remove from heat add sugar and mix well. Pour over cucumbers and stir well.
• Cover and refrigerate for about 4 hours before serving. May be refrigerated up to 1 week. Serve cold.

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.

SICHUAN CUCUMBER PICKLES (VIETNAMESE QUICK PICKLES)

Steps:

• In a bowl, toss together the cucumber slices and 1 teaspoon of the salt. Transfer the cucumbers to a colander and let drain in the sink for 2 hours.
• Rinse the cucumbers briefly under cold running water and drain well. Transfer to a bowl, add the ginger and fresh Thai chiles; toss to mix. In a separate bowl, stir together the vinegar, sugar, sambal and the remaining 2 tablespoons salt until the sugar and salt have dissolved. Set aside.
• In a small frying pan, heat the sesame oil over medium heat. Add the Sichuan peppercorns and toast for 10 seconds. Add the dried chiles and toast for 10 seconds longer, until the chiles darken slightly.
• Pour the contents of the frying pan over the cucumbers, then add the vinegar solution and toss well. Let cool to room temperature, then cover and refrigerate. The pickles are ready to eat in 2 hours. They will keep, refrigerated, for up to 1 week.

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.