Tangy Shaken Asian-Style Salad (Printable View)

Crunchy cucumbers blended with a bold, tangy Asian dressing, perfect as a refreshing side or snack.

# What You'll Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 large English cucumbers, thinly sliced
02 - 2 spring onions, thinly sliced
03 - 1 small red chili, finely sliced (optional)

→ Dressing

04 - 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
05 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce (use tamari for gluten-free)
06 - 2 teaspoons sesame oil
07 - 1 tablespoon sugar or maple syrup
08 - 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
09 - 1 garlic clove, minced
10 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds

→ Garnish

11 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
12 - Additional toasted sesame seeds, to taste

# How to Make It:

01 - Place the sliced cucumbers, spring onions, and chili (if using) into a large jar with a tight-fitting lid or a large bowl with a cover.
02 - Whisk rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, grated ginger, minced garlic, and toasted sesame seeds in a small bowl until the sugar dissolves.
03 - Pour the dressing over the vegetable mixture in the container.
04 - Close the lid and shake vigorously for 30 seconds to coat the vegetables evenly, or toss thoroughly if using a bowl.
05 - Let the mixture sit for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld.
06 - Sprinkle with chopped cilantro and extra toasted sesame seeds before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • It takes less time than waiting for toast, but tastes like you planned ahead.
  • The shaking part makes you feel like a bartender, and it actually works better than stirring.
  • Cucumbers stay crunchy even after sitting in the dressing, which feels like magic.
  • You can eat it straight from the jar without judgment.
02 -
  • Do not skip the shaking step, tossing does not coat the cucumbers the same way, and you will taste the difference.
  • If you let it sit longer than five minutes, the cucumbers release water and dilute the dressing, so eat it soon or drain off the extra liquid before serving.
03 -
  • Slice the cucumbers as thin as you can manage, they soak up the dressing better and taste more delicate.
  • Toast your own sesame seeds in a dry pan for a minute until they smell nutty, it makes a bigger difference than you would think.
  • If your cucumbers are not English, peel them and scoop out the seeds with a spoon so they do not get soggy.
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