Smashed Asian Cucumber Salad

Yield 6 Hearty tasting portions

Pillar of Nutrition Eat the Rainbow

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Smashed Asian Cucumber Salad

Kids love this easy, yummy salad.

Ingredients

• Dressing:
• 2 teaspoons sugar
• 2 teaspoons sesame oil
• 3 teaspoons light soy sauce
• 1 ½ teaspoons rice vinegar
• Salad:
• 2 seedless cucumbers
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1-2 teaspoons chile oil(optional, to taste)
• 2 teaspoons toasted sesame seeds
• ¼ cup cilantro, finely chopped

Directions

1. Dressing:
2. Combine all the dressing ingredients in a small bowl.
3. Whisk until sugar has dissolved and dressing forms an emulsion.
4. Salad:
5. Wash and dry the cucumbers.
6. On a cutting board, lay a large knife against the side, lengthwise, of one of the cucumbers.
7. Smash the knife lightly with the palm of your hand until the cucumber cracks open and breaks into sections. Repeat with the other cucumber.
8. Cut each smashed section on the diagonal into bite-sized pieces.
9. Finely mince the garlic.
10. In a bowl, combine the cucumber pieces with the dressing, garlic and chili oil (if using).
11. Serve garnished with sesame seeds and chopped cilantro.

Notes

Substitution and variations

• Sub warmed olive oil for the chili oil for less spicy heat

Something to Chew On

• What is an emulsion?
• What is the benefit of smashing the cucumbers

Nutritional information is based on one serving.