In this blog post you can read about how to make a delicious and simple Chinese cucumber salad!
Serving size: 2-4 people | Cook time: 15-20min
Summer is a season that calls for light, crisp, and refreshing dishes to beat the heat. One dish that perfectly encapsulates the essence of summer is the Chinese Cucumber Salad. This delightful salad is not only easy to prepare but also bursts with flavors that will tantalize your taste buds.
Ingredients for cucumber salad:
- 2 cucumbers
- 3 cloves of garlic
- Half handful of black fungus
- Chilis to taste
- Soy sauce
- Black aged vinegar
- Salt
- Sugar
Instructions:
1. Rehydrate the Black Fungus: Start by soaking the black fungus in water for about an hour or until it becomes soft and pliable. Once rehydrated, shred the fungus into smaller, bite-sized pieces if necessary.
2. Cook the Black Fungus: Place the shredded black fungus in a pot of cold water and bring it to a boil. Allow it to cook for about 5 minutes before transferring it to an ice bath. This step is crucial as it gives the fungus a delightful crunch. Once cooled, drain the fungus well.
3. Pickle the Cucumbers: Cut the cucumbers into bite-sized pieces and generously sprinkle salt and sugar over them. Let the cucumbers pickle for about 10 minutes. Afterward, rinse the cucumbers thoroughly and drain them well. This step ensures that the crispiness is maintained in our cucumber salad.
4. Prepare the Cucumber Salad Sauce: Mince the garlic and cut the chili into small pieces. In a small bowl, combine the minced garlic, chopped chili, soy sauce, black aged vinegar, and sugar to taste. Mix well until all the flavors meld into a delicious sauce.
5. Assemble and Enjoy: In a large mixing bowl, combine the pickled cucumbers, crunchy black fungus, and the prepared sauce. Toss everything together until the cucumbers and fungus are evenly coated with the flavorful sauce. Your Chinese cucumber salad is now ready to be served!
