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Chinese Smashed Cucumber Salad

4.50 from 2 votes
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Prep Time:10 minutes
Cook Time:5 minutes
Course: Salad, Side Dish
Cuisine: Chinese
Keyword: Cucumber Salad, Easy Recipes, Quick Salads
Author: Bora Park

Ingredients

  • 2 seedless cucumbers English or 8 mini cucumbers
  • 4 large cloves of garlic finely chopped
  • 3 tbsp neutral oil avocado or canola oil
  • 1 tsp fine sea salt
  • 1 tbsp soy sauce
  • 2 tsp sugar
  • 2 tsp sesame oil
  • 1 tbsp rice vinegar
  • 1/8 tsp MSG optional
  • 1 scallion green parts chopped (garnish)
  • toasted sesame seed garnish
  • chilli oil garnish (optional)

Instructions

  • Set a small saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the oil and the finely chopped garlic to the pan. Cook and constantly stir the garlic for about 2 minutes. Make sure to not let the garlic brown! Remove the saucepan from the heat and let it cool.
  • Cut the ends of the cucumbers and then smash each cucumber using the back of a cleaver or meat tenderizer. Then cut the cucumbers on a diagonal into 1" long bite-size pieces. Transfer the cucumbers to a large mixing bowl.
  • Add the garlic, rice vinegar, sesame oil, sugar, soy sauce, salt and MSG to the bowl with cucumbers. Mix well with a spoon or using your hands. Transfer the cucumbers to a salad bowl and garnish with scallions, sesame seeds and Chinese chili sauce (optional). Serve immediately. Enjoy!