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:

Food For Think said...

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!

tori said...

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...

Mzungu said...

I wonder what the recipe for tickled carrots is like ?

Kate@whatkatebaked said...

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

Sharmila said...

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.

Katy Salter @ Pinch of Salt said...

Love the name! Do you deseed the cucumber?

Anonymous said...

Good Article

S said...

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

curlywurlyfi said...

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

Hollow Legs said...

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