Description
A refreshing and flavorful cucumber salad tossed in a zesty sesame-ginger dressing with soy sauce, garlic, honey, lime juice, and garnished with toasted sesame seeds and fresh cilantro. Perfect as a light side dish or appetizer.
Ingredients
Scale
Salad
- 1 cucumber
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
- 1 tablespoon fresh cilantro, chopped
- 1 teaspoon lime juice
Dressing
- 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon soy sauce
- 1 clove garlic, minced
- 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
- 1/4 teaspoon black pepper
- Honey, to taste
Instructions
- Prepare Ingredients: Begin by preparing all your ingredients and setting them aside for easy access during the cooking process.
- Slice Cucumber: Take the cucumber and slice it into thin rounds or half-moons, depending on your preference.
- Place Cucumbers in Bowl: Place the sliced cucumbers in a bowl and set them aside.
- Make Dressing Base: In a separate small mixing bowl, add sesame oil, soy sauce, minced garlic, honey, grated ginger, and black pepper.
- Mix Dressing: Stir the ingredients well to combine the sesame oil, soy sauce, garlic, honey, ginger, and black pepper into a smooth dressing.
- Coat Cucumbers: Pour the dressing mixture over the sliced cucumbers, ensuring they are evenly coated.
- Toss Cucumbers: Toss the cucumbers gently to ensure all slices are coated with the dressing.
- Add Sesame Seeds: Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds and regular sesame seeds over the cucumber mixture for added texture and flavor.
- Add Cilantro: Finely chop fresh cilantro and sprinkle it over the cucumber mixture.
- Toss Again: Toss everything gently again to distribute the cilantro and seeds evenly on the cucumbers.
- Add Lime Juice: Finish by squeezing fresh lime juice over the entire dish to give a fresh burst of flavor.
- Final Toss: Give the cucumbers one final gentle toss to ensure all ingredients are well mixed.
- Taste and Adjust: Taste the cucumbers and adjust seasoning if necessary, adding more soy sauce, lime juice, or honey as desired.
- Serve: Serve immediately or refrigerate for a short while if you prefer it chilled.
Notes
- This cucumber salad is best served fresh but can be chilled for 30 minutes to enhance flavors.
- Adjust honey and soy sauce quantities according to your preferred balance of sweet and salty.
- For extra heat, add a pinch of red chili flakes or fresh chopped chili.
- Use fresh ginger and garlic for the best flavor profile.
- Try this salad as a refreshing side for grilled dishes or Asian-inspired meals.
