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Monday, 20 June 2011

Smacked Cucumber Salad

The first I'd heard of the hilariously named 'smacked cucumbers' was at Wuli Wuli; the cucumbers bathed in a pungently garlic sauce, that also had a fair amount of sweetness; at first, I found it too much, and then I was going back for more.

The name comes from the technique of smacking the cucumber with the flat of your cleaver (though I used a rolling pin) until the skin of the cucumber splits, leaving you with more surface area for the cucumber to absorb the dressing. Served with a fiery minced pork and noodle dish, this soothed the tongue and made us honk of garlic all night.

Smacked Cucumber Salad

Serves 2 as a side

1 large cucumber
3 cloves of garlic, minced
2 tsp palm sugar
2.5 tbsp rice vinegar
1.5 tsp chilli oil
2 tsp toasted sesame oil
1 tsp light soy sauce
2 tsp salt

Lay the cucumber on a chopping board and smack lightly with a cleaver or a rolling pin. Slice and add to a colander, sprinkling with salt. Leave for 30 mins, then rinse and pat dry with a kitchen towel. Mix together the vinegar, the garlic, sugar, chilli and sesame oils and add the cucumber to the mix, leaving for 10 mins before serving.

10 comments:

  1. I can't get enough of cucumber - I have eaten a big slab as a snack for as long as I can remember.

    This looks like a great alternative way to enjoy it!

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  2. Frequently looking for ways to take out aggression on vegetables. Perhaps it's time to leave the speed peeler and the fennel alone for a while...

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  3. I wonder what the recipe for tickled carrots is like ?

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  4. Great name, great dish! I must remember this recipe... next time I have a tough day at work, I get to smack a cucumber!

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  5. I make this a lot - it pairs so well with spicy dishes.

    Usually can't help myself and have to add some Sichuan pickled chillies too.

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  6. Love the name! Do you deseed the cucumber?

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  7. ace name. in my family we eat lots of cucumbers with dahl, cut exactly like this. these would go splendidly with dahl, with that kick of garlic. x shayma

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  8. I have just made these (again). Used brown sugar (no palm) + added ginger. Ate a whole cucumber's worth by myself. So good.

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  9. whoops, sorry Katy, late response. I don't bother deseeding, once you've smacked your cucumber it gets a bit messy

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