Crispy Stir-Fried Cucumber Recipe
Beat the Appetitelessness! Super Quick and Crunchy Stir-Fried Cucumber
Fragrant and refreshing stir-fried cucumber is especially delicious when your appetite is low, making it come alive again. I’ll share some secret tips to make your stir-fried cucumber even greener and crunchier. This super-speedy dish is ready in just 10 minutes, making it easy for anyone to follow.
Main Ingredients
- 2 Cucumbers
Other Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp Cooking oil
- 1 Tbsp Sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp Cooking oil
- 1 Tbsp Sesame oil
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare 2 fresh cucumbers. Wash them thoroughly.
Step 2
It’s best to slice the cucumbers as thinly as possible. Thin slices help the cucumbers release moisture easily and absorb seasoning better, leading to a more delicious stir-fry. You can slice them into half-moons or julienne them.
Step 3
Add 1/2 Tbsp of salt to the thinly sliced cucumbers and gently mix. Let them sit for 10 minutes to draw out the moisture. This salting process helps the cucumbers maintain their crispness and prevents them from becoming mushy.
Step 4
After 10 minutes, place the salted cucumbers into a clean cheesecloth or a fine-mesh bag. (You can also use a kitchen towel or a dashi bag.)
Step 5
Squeeze the cucumbers firmly within the bag or cloth to remove as much water as possible. If too much moisture remains, the stir-fry might become watery and lose its crisp texture.
Step 6
Taste the squeezed cucumbers and adjust the seasoning with a tiny pinch of salt if needed. It’s important to enhance the cucumber’s natural flavor, so keep the seasoning light.
Step 7
Now it’s time to stir-fry! Heat a frying pan over high heat, add 1 Tbsp of cooking oil, and once the pan is hot, add the drained cucumbers. Stir-fry for exactly 20 seconds. Be careful not to overcook, as this will make the cucumbers lose their crunch. Immediately after turning off the heat, add 1 Tbsp of sesame oil and quickly toss everything together. Your fragrant and delicious stir-fried cucumber is ready! Serve immediately and enjoy.
