Crispy and Nutty Cucumber Salad with Whole Perilla Seeds
Simple Summer Side Dish, Refreshing Mediterranean-Style Cucumber Salad, Appetizing Cucumber Salad with Whole Perilla Seeds
This is a cucumber side dish that rivals those served in high-end Korean restaurants! Enjoy the refreshing crunch of cucumbers and the delightful popping texture of whole perilla seeds in this flavorful dish. It’s a perfect balance of savory, sweet, and tangy notes that will make you reach for more rice.
Main Ingredients
- 2 fresh cucumbers
- 2 Tbsp whole perilla seeds
- 0.5 Tbsp coarse sea salt
Seasoning
- 1.5 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp allulose (or sugar)
- 1 Tbsp 2x apple cider vinegar (or 2 Tbsp regular apple cider vinegar)
- A little perilla oil (approx. 0.5 Tbsp)
- 1.5 Tbsp soy sauce
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp allulose (or sugar)
- 1 Tbsp 2x apple cider vinegar (or 2 Tbsp regular apple cider vinegar)
- A little perilla oil (approx. 0.5 Tbsp)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare all your ingredients. Wash the cucumbers thoroughly under running water and pat them dry.
Step 2
Slice the cucumbers into thin, round pieces, about 0.5 cm thick. In a bowl, combine the sliced cucumbers with 0.5 Tbsp of coarse sea salt and gently toss to coat. Let them sit for about 5 minutes to salt cure. This process draws out excess moisture, ensuring a crisp texture.
Step 3
Rinse the salted cucumbers briefly under cold water to remove excess salt. Drain them very well, ideally using a sieve or by gently squeezing out the water. Transfer the drained cucumbers to a mixing bowl.
Step 4
Add 2 Tbsp of whole perilla seeds to the bowl with the cucumbers. These seeds will provide a delightful nutty flavor and a fun, popping texture to the salad.
Step 5
Now, let’s add the seasonings. Pour in 1.5 Tbsp of soy sauce, 1 Tbsp of minced garlic, 1 Tbsp of allulose (adjust sweetness to your preference), and 1 Tbsp of 2x apple cider vinegar. Mix everything together.
Step 6
Finally, drizzle in about 0.5 Tbsp of perilla oil. Perilla oil has a strong flavor, so add just enough to enhance the aroma and taste without overpowering the other ingredients.
Step 7
Gently toss all the ingredients together to combine the cucumbers, perilla seeds, and seasoning evenly. Your delicious and refreshing Cucumber Salad with Whole Perilla Seeds is now ready to serve! It’s great immediately or chilled from the refrigerator.
