Crunchy smashed cucumber salad

salad
side
vegetarian

Cucumbers are a peak summer food. When it's simply too hot and you can't bear to cook, crisp and refreshing cucumbers are here for you. Turned into a simple salad, your summer saving grace becomes more than just a single vegetable chopped up on a plate. This basic recipe can be riffed on in a multitude of ways - different herbs like mint or parsley add flair as does swapping the vinegar for lemon juice.

Ingredients

  • 1/2 hothouse cucumber or 2 Persian cucumbers
  • 2 tsp rice wine vinegar
  • 1 tsp sugar
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 T cilantro, chopped
  • 1/2 tsp sesame seeds

Instructions

Cut the cucumbers into 2 inch chunks. On a cutting board, use the back of a frying pan to smash the cucumbers into bite sizes pieces.

In a small bowl, combine the mashed cucumbers with vinegar, sugar, salt and all but a pinch of the cilantro. Using your hands, gently toss to combine until you feel the sugar and salt dissolve, about 2 mins.

Allow cucumbers to marinate for 5 mins.

To serve, top with remaining cilantro and sesame seeds.

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