Cool as a cucumber, this tasty summer salad features bright and refreshing flavours that will have you coming back for seconds. This chilled Asian cucumber salad recipe is unbelievably simple to prepare, yet flavourful and elegant. When summer is in full swing and the temperature is rising this chilled Asian-inspired cucumber salad is the perfect meal.
The coolness of the cucumbers compliments the lightly spiced Asian dressing perfectly. Top that off with some nutty toasted sesame seeds and you have a healthy salad that’s the ultimate cooler on hot summer days. So next time you need a good recipe to beat the heat, try out this delicious chilled Asian cucumber salad.
Serves 4
Ingredients:
- 3 medium cucumbers, peeled and deseeded
- 2 Tbsp white sesame seeds
- 2 Tbsp rice wine vinegar
- 2 tsp toasted sesame oil
- ½ tsp low sodium soy sauce
- ¼ tsp red chilli flakes
- ½ tsp crushed garlic
- 2 ml fresh lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon honey
- 1 tsp fine salt for purging cucumbers
- Salt and pepper to taste
- A dollop of sour cream for garnish (optional)
Instructions:
- Peel and seed cucumbers and cut into thin slices.
- Toss the cucumber pieces with the fine salt and place into a colander
- Place the colander into your sink or over a paper towel or bowl.
- Allow to drain for about 1 hour. This will purge the water from the cucumbers so that the dressing does not get watered down.
- In the meantime lightly toast the sesame seeds in a dry pan until they’re golden brown and set to one side. Sesame seeds toast very quickly so keep an eye on them and don’t let them burn.
- In a bowl whisk together the rice wine vinegar, soy sauce, toasted sesame oil, honey, garlic, lemon juice and red pepper flakes.
- When ready, quickly rinse the cucumber slices under cold running water and pat dry with paper towels to remove any excess water.
- Toss the cucumbers with the dressing and season with salt and pepper.
- Chill in the fridge for 20 minutes.
- When ready, garnish with toasted sesame seeds and sour cream if desired, serve and enjoy your chilled Asian cucumber salad.
