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Chinese Cucumber Salad 2

Serves 4 to 6 Salad vegetarian, Salads

Chinese Cucumber Salad 2

Chinese Cucumber Salad 2 finds its roots in the comforting rhythms of home kitchens across China, where the cook’s touch rather than precise measurements guides the creation. This recipe captures the essence of those intimate settings, where salt is pinched and sprinkled by hand, and the richness of yogurt is embraced generously. It’s a dish crafted for sharing, embodying the spirit of family meals and everyday togetherness.

The salad offers a refreshing contrast of flavors and textures, with crisp cucumber slices bathed in creamy yogurt, subtly infused with garlic and dill. Each bite should be a harmonious blend of coolness and aromatic depth, with salt enhancing rather than overpowering. Perfect for a summer day, this salad invites you to savor its simplicity and the care with which it is prepared.

Ingredients

  • 2cucumbers
  • 200 gyogurt
  • 1 clovegarlic
  • dill — chopped
  • to tastefine sea salt

Method

  1. Start by washing 2 cucumbers thoroughly under cold running water. Pat them dry with a clean kitchen towel. Trim the ends and slice the cucumbers into thin rounds, about 1/4 inch thick. Place the slices in a large mixing bowl and set aside.
  2. Peel 1 clove of garlic and mince it finely. Add the minced garlic to the bowl with the cucumber slices. This will infuse the cucumbers with a subtle, aromatic flavor.
  3. In a separate small bowl, combine 200 g of yogurt with a generous pinch of fine sea salt. Stir well until the salt is fully dissolved into the yogurt. The yogurt will act as a creamy dressing, balancing the crispness of the cucumbers.
  4. Pour the yogurt mixture over the cucumber and garlic in the large mixing bowl. Add freshly chopped dill to taste, which will provide a fresh, herbaceous note to the salad.
  5. Drizzle a small amount of your preferred oil over the salad. This could be sesame oil for a nutty flavor or a neutral oil like sunflower for a lighter touch. Add a splash of vinegar or lemon juice to introduce a tangy contrast.
  6. Gently toss the salad using two large spoons, ensuring each cucumber slice is evenly coated with the yogurt dressing. Be careful not to break the cucumber slices; they should remain intact and crisp.
  7. Taste the salad and adjust the seasoning if necessary, adding more salt or dill according to your preference. The salad should have a balanced flavor of creamy, tangy, and salty notes.
  8. Serve the Chinese Cucumber Salad 2 immediately, accompanied by fresh bread. The salad is best enjoyed fresh, with the cucumbers maintaining their crunch and the flavors vibrant.
Cover of Authentic Chinese Cuisine
From the cookbook

Authentic Chinese Cuisine

This recipe is from Authentic Chinese Cuisine by Yassine Sbiti — the Chinese volume in the ComidaTime International Cuisines series.

Available soon on Amazon…

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