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A white bowl of thinly sliced cucumbers with red pepper flakes and chili paste, next to a small dish of red pepper flakes and sesame seeds on a wooden table
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Spicy Cucumber Salad

Sliced cucumbers in a spicy dressing of rice vinegar, soy sauce, garlic, sesame oil and chili, ready in about 35 minutes.
Course Appetizer, Side
Cuisine Asian
Keyword Crushed Red Pepper
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 6 servings
Calories 39kcal

Ingredients

  • 4 cucumbers
  • 1 tablespoon garlic minced fine
  • 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 1 teaspoon crushed red pepper or cayenne pepper powder
  • 1 teaspoon chili paste
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • Salt

Instructions

  • Slice the cucumbers thin, place them in a bowl, then sprinkle the cucumbers with salt and let them sit for 30 minutes. Water will draw out of the cucumbers. Remove the water from the bowl.
  • Combine the garlic, rice vinegar, soy sauce, chili paste, crushed red pepper (or cayenne powder), sugar, and sesame oil. Pour over the cucumbers and toss the cucumbers to coat.
  • Sprinkle a small amount of either crushed red pepper or cayenne pepper powder on top and serve.

Notes

  • Cayenne is hotter than crushed red pepper, so start with about half as much if you use it instead.
  • Taste a salted cucumber slice before you add the dressing. If it's too salty, rinse the slices and pat them dry, since the soy sauce adds salt too.
  • Any chili paste works, such as sambal oelek or chili garlic sauce.

Nutrition

Calories: 39kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.3g | Sodium: 178mg | Potassium: 293mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 245IU | Vitamin C: 7mg | Calcium: 32mg | Iron: 1mg