Crispy Stir-Fried Cucumber: The Ultimate Summer Side Dish Recipe
The Best Summer Rice Thief! Irresistible Crispy Texture, Addictive Side Dish: Stir-Fried Cucumber Recipe
Looking for a cucumber side dish that isn’t kimchi-style like seasoned or stuffed cucumbers? I discovered this recipe and it’s so delicious, I highly recommend it! It’s the perfect way to refresh your palate on a hot summer day.
Stir-Fried Cucumber Ingredients- 3 cucumbers (medium-sized)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 0.5 Tbsp salt (for salting the cucumbers)
- 1 tsp sugar (adjust to taste)
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil
- 1 Tbsp toasted sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Prepare 3 cucumbers. Wash them thoroughly as the peel contains nutrients. While varieties like ‘Gashio-oi’ or ‘Cheong-oi’ offer a superior crunch, regular cucumbers work just fine if those aren’t available.
Step 2
Now it’s time to slice the cucumbers thinly. Aim for the thinnest slices possible to achieve a delightful crispiness. Using a mandoline slicer will ensure uniform thickness and speed up the process. Slices should be about 2-3mm thick.
Step 3
Place the thinly sliced cucumbers in a bowl and sprinkle with 0.5 Tbsp of salt. Let them sit and salt for 10 to 30 minutes. The exact time depends on the thickness and freshness of your cucumbers. They are ready when they bend softly without breaking when you gently fold them.
Step 4
While the cucumbers are salting, gently toss them occasionally to ensure even water extraction. I used a knife for slicing and salted them for about 30 minutes. It’s important to adjust the time based on how your cucumbers are reacting.
Step 5
The salted cucumbers will release a lot of water. Squeeze out as much liquid as possible with your hands. This is crucial to prevent the stir-fried cucumbers from becoming mushy and to maintain their crispness. If the cucumbers taste too salty after salting, rinse them briefly under cold water and squeeze out the liquid again.
Step 6
Now, let’s prepare for stir-frying. In a bowl, combine 1 Tbsp of minced garlic and 1 Tbsp of sesame oil. I used frozen minced garlic, so I gently heated it over low heat. If you’re using fresh minced garlic, you can add it to the pan along with the cucumbers.
Step 7
Add the squeezed cucumbers to a heated pan and stir-fry quickly over high heat. At this stage, add 1 tsp of sugar and 1 Tbsp of toasted sesame seeds. If the cucumbers are too salty from the salting process, you can omit the salt and just use sugar and sesame seeds to balance the flavor. Stir-frying quickly over high heat is key to preserving the cucumber’s crunch.
Step 8
Transfer the stir-fried cucumbers to a wide container and let them cool down. Then, refrigerate them. Chilling the stir-fried cucumbers further enhances their crisp and refreshing texture, making them even more delicious. They are best enjoyed cold, so making them ahead of time is a great idea!
