Smacked Cucumber Pickles Recipes

SMACKED CUCUMBERS

These tangy pickles served in soy, rice wine vinegar, garlic and chilli oil will complement other spicy dishes

Provided by Jennifer Joyce

Categories Buffet, Condiment

Time 10m

Number Of Ingredients 6

Smacked cucumbers image

Steps:

Take a rolling pin or cleaver and smack the cucumbers so that they split, then chop into 2.5cm pieces. Put in a bowl with all the remaining ingredients and 1 tsp salt, and toss together. Serve alongside any of the other dishes.

Nutrition Facts : Calories 52 calories, Fat 3 grams fat, Carbohydrate 6 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 6 grams sugar, Fiber 1 grams fiber, Protein 1 grams protein, Sodium 0.3 milligram of sodium

Ingredients

2 large cucumber , about 450g, ends trimmed
1 tbsp finely chopped garlic
2 tbsp caster sugar
1 tbsp light soy sauce
2 tbsp Chinese black or regular rice wine vinegar
2 tbsp chilli oil

CHINESE SMASHED CUCUMBERS WITH SESAME OIL AND GARLIC

In China, cucumbers are considered the ideal foil for hot weather and hot food. Versions of this salad, pai huang gua, are served all over the country, sometimes spiked with dried chiles and Sichuan peppercorns for more dimensions of flavor. In Beijing, people buy whole chilled cucumbers from street vendors and munch them on the go, much as Americans become attached to their cups of iced coffee in summer. The smashing process, a classic Chinese technique, cracks the skin, helps release the seeds and splits the flesh into appealing craggy pieces. Salting and chilling the cracked cucumbers give them the perfect cool, crunchy, watery mouth feel.

Provided by Julia Moskin

Categories salads and dressings, side dish

Time 40m

Yield 4 to 6 servings

Number Of Ingredients 11

Chinese Smashed Cucumbers With Sesame Oil and Garlic image

Steps:

Rinse cucumbers and pat dry. Cut crosswise into pieces about 4 inches long. Cut each piece in half lengthwise.
On a work surface, place a piece of cucumber (or several) cut side down. Lay the blade of a large knife flat on top the cucumber and smash down lightly with your other hand. The skin will begin to crack, the flesh will break down and the seeds will separate. Repeat until the whole piece is smashed. Break or slice diagonally into bite-size pieces, leaving the seeds behind.
Place the cucumber pieces in a strainer and toss with a big pinch of salt and a big pinch of sugar. Place a plastic bag filled with ice on top of the cucumbers to serve as a weight and place the strainer over a bowl. Let drain 15 to 30 minutes on the counter, or in the refrigerator until ready to serve, up to 4 hours.
Make the dressing: In a small bowl, combine salt, sugar and rice vinegar. Stir until salt and sugar are dissolved. Stir in sesame oil and soy sauce.
When ready to serve, shake cucumbers well to drain off any remaining liquid and transfer to a serving bowl. Drizzle with grapeseed or olive oil and toss. Add half the dressing, half the garlic and the red pepper flakes to taste, and toss. Keep adding dressing until cucumbers are well coated but not drowned. Taste and add more pepper flakes and garlic if needed. Serve immediately, garnished with cilantro and sesame seeds.

Ingredients

About 2 pounds thin-skinned cucumbers like English or Persian (8 to 10 mini cucumbers, 4 medium-size or 2 large greenhouse)
1 teaspoon kosher salt, plus more for cucumbers
2 teaspoons granulated sugar, plus more for cucumbers
1 1/2 tablespoons rice vinegar
2 teaspoons sesame oil
2 teaspoons soy sauce
1 tablespoon grapeseed or extra-virgin olive oil
2 large garlic cloves, minced or put through a press
Red pepper flakes, to taste
Small handful whole cilantro leaves, for garnish
2 teaspoons toasted white sesame seeds, for garnish (optional)

SMACKED CUCUMBER 'QUICK KIMCHI'

This is not a traditional kimchi, but it approximates the flavor profile, bypassing a lengthier fermentation and instead relying on vinegar. Considered a muchim in Korean - which can refer to any number of "seasoned" or "dressed" salads or other preparations - this dish is best eaten right away, or at least within 24 hours, while cucumber's characteristic crunch is still intact. The smacking step creates craggy edges that help better absorb the spicy, funky dressing, so don't skip it. If you can, place a bowl under the colander in Step 1 to catch the cucumber brine; it tastes fabulous in a martini. Enjoy this as a side salad alongside any grilled main dish, especially steak, or any type of barbecue. For a vegetarian option, you can swap out the fish sauce for soy sauce.

Provided by Eric Kim

Categories dinner, easy, lunch, weeknight, pickles, salads and dressings, vegetables, side dish

Time 40m

Yield 2 to 2 1/2 cups

Number Of Ingredients 9

Smacked Cucumber 'Quick Kimchi' image

Steps:

On a large cutting board, position your chef's knife on its side and press the heel of the blade to crush each cucumber piece until it cracks in the center, splits in half or splinters completely into pieces. (The variety in textures is a delight.) In a medium bowl, toss the cucumbers with the salt, transfer to a colander, and let sit in the sink to drain, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, in the same bowl, add the vinegar and garlic and set aside.
After 30 minutes, add the sesame oil, gochugaru, fish sauce and sugar to the bowl with the vinegar and garlic, and whisk to combine. Use a paper or cloth kitchen towel to pat the cucumbers dry, then add the cucumbers to the dressing and toss until well coated.
Garnish with the optional herbs before serving. This is best eaten right away, but can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours.

Ingredients

1 pound Persian cucumbers (about 5 to 7), cut into 1-inch pieces on the bias
1 teaspoon kosher salt
2 tablespoons white distilled vinegar
1/2 teaspoon finely grated garlic
1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon sesame oil
1 tablespoon gochugaru
2 teaspoons fish sauce
1 teaspoon granulated sugar
Coarsely chopped chives, thinly sliced scallions, or cilantro or flat-leaf parsley leaves, for garnish (optional)