Baek Jong-won’s Quick & Crispy Cucumber Salad Recipe
Unlock the Secret to Perfectly Pickled Cucumbers: An Easy Recipe from Baek Jong-won!
The ultimate side dish when you’re craving something refreshing! Introducing Baek Jong-won’s super simple cucumber salad recipe, featuring a delightful crunch and a perfectly balanced sweet and spicy dressing. Even beginners can easily follow this recipe, which requires no fancy ingredients.
Main Ingredients- 1/2 cucumber
- 1 Tbsp coarse salt
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
The first crucial step to achieving a crispy cucumber salad is the ‘pickling process’. Wash the cucumber thoroughly, then slice it into bite-sized pieces about 0.5 cm thick (half-moon or diagonal slices work well). Place the sliced cucumbers in a bowl and add 1 tablespoon of coarse salt. Then, pour in about half a cup (approx. 100ml) of water. Gently mix and massage the cucumbers with the salt and water. This method helps the cucumbers quickly absorb the salt, retaining their crispiness. Let them pickle for about 10 minutes, and to ensure even pickling, flip the cucumber slices every 2 minutes. After pickling, lightly squeeze out any excess water or drain them in a colander.
Step 2
Now it’s time to add the delicious seasoning to your perfectly pickled cucumbers. After draining, add half a tablespoon of minced garlic and a generous tablespoon of gochugaru (Korean chili flakes) to the cucumbers. (Although it might look like half a tablespoon in the photo, using a full tablespoon adds more flavor!). Add half a tablespoon of sugar for sweetness and one tablespoon of gochujang for a spicy kick. Pour in one tablespoon of soy sauce for savory depth. If you desire a tangier taste, add one tablespoon of vinegar. Gently mix all the ingredients with your hands, ensuring the seasoning coats the cucumber slices evenly.
Step 3
Finally, add half a tablespoon of sesame oil and half a tablespoon of toasted sesame seeds. Gently mix and massage the cucumbers again to distribute the gochujang evenly throughout the salad. Taste and adjust the seasoning if needed – add a little more soy sauce if it’s too bland, or a touch more sugar if it’s not sweet enough. And there you have it – a delicious cucumber salad! It’s great to eat right away, but for an even more refreshing experience, chill it in the refrigerator for a while before serving.
