Savory and Mild Stir-Fried Cucumber Side Dish
Quick & Delicious Stir-Fried Cucumber: A Simple Recipe
Do you have cucumbers lying around at home? Don’t let them go to waste! Today, I’m sharing a recipe for ‘Stir-Fried Cucumber Side Dish,’ which is simple yet incredibly savory and mild. Its gentle flavor makes it a hit with both children and adults, quickly becoming a favorite on your dinner table. This dish captures the refreshing essence of cucumbers while adding a delightful nutty flavor, perfect for enjoying with a bowl of steamed rice.
Main Ingredients- 1.5 Cucumbers (approx. 300-350g)
- 0.8 Tbsp Coarse Salt (or table salt)
- 1 Handful Scallions (approx. 50g)
- 1 Tbsp Cooking Oil (e.g., canola, grapeseed)
- 0.5 Tbsp Minced Garlic
- 0.5 Tbsp Perilla Oil (or sesame oil)
- 0.5 Tbsp Toasted Sesame Seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the fresh cucumbers thoroughly. Slice them in half, then cut into bite-sized pieces about 0.5 cm thick. You can shape them into half-moons or lengthwise strips, just ensure they aren’t too thick so they absorb flavor well and have a pleasant texture.
Step 2
Add about 0.8 Tbsp of coarse salt to the sliced cucumbers and gently mix. The salt will draw out moisture, helping to maintain a crisp texture and remove any bitterness. Let the cucumbers sit and salt for 30 minutes.
Step 3
About 15 minutes into the salting process, gently stir the cucumbers again to ensure the salt is evenly distributed. This helps them to salt uniformly.
Step 4
After 30 minutes, firmly squeeze the excess water out of the salted cucumbers with your hands. It’s important to remove as much liquid as possible to prevent the dish from becoming watery and to allow the flavors to penetrate better. Don’t worry if you can’t get every last drop; just squeeze them as hard as you can.
Step 5
Prepare about one handful (around 50g) of scallions by finely chopping them. The mild pungency of the scallions will complement the delicate flavor of the cucumbers.
Step 6
Heat 1 Tbsp of cooking oil in a pan over high heat. Preheating the pan properly will make the cooking process smoother.
Step 7
Once the pan is hot, add the minced garlic and chopped scallions. Stir-fry over medium-low heat until fragrant, creating a ‘scallion oil.’ Be careful not to burn them; you want to release their aroma.
Step 8
When the fragrant scallion oil is ready, add the squeezed cucumbers to the pan. Stir-fry over high heat for about 1 minute. The key is to cook them quickly over high heat to keep them crisp and prevent them from becoming mushy.
Step 9
Turn off the heat and immediately stir in 0.5 Tbsp of perilla oil and 0.5 Tbsp of toasted sesame seeds for glossiness and nutty flavor. The aromatic perilla oil enhances the mild taste of the cucumbers. Taste the dish and add a pinch of salt if needed, adjusting to your preference.
Step 10
Your delicious and savory Stir-Fried Cucumber Side Dish is now ready! Enjoy it with a warm bowl of rice for a satisfying meal.
