Best 7 Smacked Cucumbers Recipes
If you're looking for a refreshing and flavorful dish that's perfect for a summer gathering or a light lunch, smacked cucumbers are an excellent choice. This dish, also known as Smashed Cucumbers, is made with fresh cucumbers that are sliced and smashed until they're tender and juicy. The cucumbers are then tossed in a flavorful dressing made with olive oil, vinegar, herbs, and spices. The result is a salad that's both satisfying and refreshing, with a combination of textures and flavors that will leave you wanting more.
Here are our top 7 tried and tested recipes!
SMASHED CUCUMBER SALAD
By crushing our cucumber before we cut it, we produce flavors that un-smashed cukes can't. When you crush the cells in a vegetable, as opposed to cutting cleanly through them, certain compounds get mixed together, which can result in a significantly different flavor. In cucumbers this is a good thing--onions, not so much. But this salad is one of my all-time favorite cold summer side dishes. The only decision you're going to have to make is how long to let the cucumbers marinate--half an hour or so or not at all.
Provided by Chef John
Categories Salad Vegetable Salad Recipes Cucumber Salad Recipes
Time 1h15m
Yield 6
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- Wrap each cucumber in plastic wrap to minimize splattering. Place on a work surface and pound with a flat object (like a meat pounder) until cucumbers crack and are slightly flattened. Remove from plastic. Cut cucumbers in half; halve each side lengthwise. Slice into 1- to 1 1/2 -inch wide slices. Transfer to a strainer set over a bowl.
- Sprinkle cucumber with sugar and salt; mix until well combined. Refrigerate bowl and strainer for 30 to 60 minutes so cucumber pieces can drain into the bowl.
- Place garlic, seasoned rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, and red pepper flakes in a large bowl. Whisk together thoroughly.
- Transfer drained cucumbers into bowl with dressing. Toss to coat. Cover with plastic wrap; refrigerate for about 30 minutes to allow flavors to mingle.
- Place cucumbers in serving bowl and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 28.5 calories, Carbohydrate 3.5 g, Fat 1.4 g, Fiber 1.2 g, Protein 1.3 g, SaturatedFat 0.2 g, Sodium 530.2 mg, Sugar 1.7 g
SMACKED CUCUMBERS
These tangy pickles served in soy, rice wine vinegar, garlic and chilli oil will complement other spicy dishes
Provided by Jennifer Joyce
Categories Buffet, Condiment
Time 10m
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Take a rolling pin or cleaver and smack the cucumbers so that they split, then chop into 2.5cm pieces. Put in a bowl with all the remaining ingredients and 1 tsp salt, and toss together. Serve alongside any of the other dishes.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 52 calories, Fat 3 grams fat, Carbohydrate 6 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 6 grams sugar, Fiber 1 grams fiber, Protein 1 grams protein, Sodium 0.3 milligram of sodium
SMASHED CUCUMBER SALAD
Steps:
- Quarter the cucumbers lengthwise. Put the slices on a cutting board, skin-side-up. Use the flat side of your knife to lightly smash along the length, then cut the cucumbers into 3/4-inch pieces. Toss the cucumbers with 1/2 teaspoon each salt and sugar, then drain in a colander for 20 minutes.
- Whisk together the vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, garlic and remaining 1/2 teaspoon sugar. Add the cucumbers and toss to coat. Sprinkle with crushed red pepper, if using.
CHINESE SMASHED CUCUMBERS WITH SESAME OIL AND GARLIC
In China, cucumbers are considered the ideal foil for hot weather and hot food. Versions of this salad, pai huang gua, are served all over the country, sometimes spiked with dried chiles and Sichuan peppercorns for more dimensions of flavor. In Beijing, people buy whole chilled cucumbers from street vendors and munch them on the go, much as Americans become attached to their cups of iced coffee in summer. The smashing process, a classic Chinese technique, cracks the skin, helps release the seeds and splits the flesh into appealing craggy pieces. Salting and chilling the cracked cucumbers give them the perfect cool, crunchy, watery mouth feel.
Provided by Julia Moskin
Categories salads and dressings, side dish
Time 40m
Yield 4 to 6 servings
Number Of Ingredients 11
Steps:
- Rinse cucumbers and pat dry. Cut crosswise into pieces about 4 inches long. Cut each piece in half lengthwise.
- On a work surface, place a piece of cucumber (or several) cut side down. Lay the blade of a large knife flat on top the cucumber and smash down lightly with your other hand. The skin will begin to crack, the flesh will break down and the seeds will separate. Repeat until the whole piece is smashed. Break or slice diagonally into bite-size pieces, leaving the seeds behind.
- Place the cucumber pieces in a strainer and toss with a big pinch of salt and a big pinch of sugar. Place a plastic bag filled with ice on top of the cucumbers to serve as a weight and place the strainer over a bowl. Let drain 15 to 30 minutes on the counter, or in the refrigerator until ready to serve, up to 4 hours.
- Make the dressing: In a small bowl, combine salt, sugar and rice vinegar. Stir until salt and sugar are dissolved. Stir in sesame oil and soy sauce.
- When ready to serve, shake cucumbers well to drain off any remaining liquid and transfer to a serving bowl. Drizzle with grapeseed or olive oil and toss. Add half the dressing, half the garlic and the red pepper flakes to taste, and toss. Keep adding dressing until cucumbers are well coated but not drowned. Taste and add more pepper flakes and garlic if needed. Serve immediately, garnished with cilantro and sesame seeds.
SMACKED CUCUMBER PICKLES
These Sichuan pickles are broken into pieces, then tossed in a tangy soy, vinegar and chilli oil dressing - a refreshing accompaniment to rich Asian main courses
Provided by Jennifer Joyce
Categories Side dish
Time 5m
Number Of Ingredients 6
Steps:
- Using a rolling pin or cleaver, smack the cucumber so it splits. Rip into 2.5cm pieces, tip into a bowl with all the ingredients and 1 tsp salt, and toss together. Try with Pork shoulder braised in black vinegar (see Goes well with.)
Nutrition Facts : Calories 40 calories, Fat 2 grams fat, Carbohydrate 10 grams carbohydrates, Sugar 8 grams sugar, Fiber 3 grams fiber, Protein 30 grams protein, Sodium 0.7 milligram of sodium
SMACKED CUCUMBERS
A common appetizer in the Hunan province of China, smacked cucumbers got their name because of the way you whack the cucumbers with the flat of a cleaver blade to encourage them to absorb the flavors of the dressing. From the Revolutionary Chinese Cookbook.
Provided by FLKeysJen
Categories Fruit
Time 40m
Yield 4 serving(s)
Number Of Ingredients 12
Steps:
- Place the cucumber on a cutting board and whack hard, several times, with the flat of a cleaver blade, so the vegetable splinters and opens up with jagged cracks, then chop it into bite-size pieces.
- Place in a bowl; sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and leave about 30 minutes.
- When the time is up, drain off the water in the bowl.
- To make Version 1, add the chopped salted chiles, garlic, vinegar, sugar and salt to taste; mix well and leave for a few minutes to let the flavors blend. Just before serving, add the sesame oil and chili oil to taste; toss and serve.
- To make Version 2, add the garlic and vinegar to the cucumber with more salt to taste, mix well and set aside for a few minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate. Heat the oil in a wok over a high flame until smoking. Scatter the chili flakes over the cucumber, then sprinkle the hot oil over, which will sizzle; mix well and serve.
SMACKED CUCUMBER 'QUICK KIMCHI'
This is not a traditional kimchi, but it approximates the flavor profile, bypassing a lengthier fermentation and instead relying on vinegar. Considered a muchim in Korean - which can refer to any number of "seasoned" or "dressed" salads or other preparations - this dish is best eaten right away, or at least within 24 hours, while cucumber's characteristic crunch is still intact. The smacking step creates craggy edges that help better absorb the spicy, funky dressing, so don't skip it. If you can, place a bowl under the colander in Step 1 to catch the cucumber brine; it tastes fabulous in a martini. Enjoy this as a side salad alongside any grilled main dish, especially steak, or any type of barbecue. For a vegetarian option, you can swap out the fish sauce for soy sauce.
Provided by Eric Kim
Categories dinner, easy, lunch, weeknight, pickles, salads and dressings, vegetables, side dish
Time 40m
Yield 2 to 2 1/2 cups
Number Of Ingredients 9
Steps:
- On a large cutting board, position your chef's knife on its side and press the heel of the blade to crush each cucumber piece until it cracks in the center, splits in half or splinters completely into pieces. (The variety in textures is a delight.) In a medium bowl, toss the cucumbers with the salt, transfer to a colander, and let sit in the sink to drain, about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, in the same bowl, add the vinegar and garlic and set aside.
- After 30 minutes, add the sesame oil, gochugaru, fish sauce and sugar to the bowl with the vinegar and garlic, and whisk to combine. Use a paper or cloth kitchen towel to pat the cucumbers dry, then add the cucumbers to the dressing and toss until well coated.
- Garnish with the optional herbs before serving. This is best eaten right away, but can be refrigerated for up to 24 hours.
Tips:
- Choose the right cucumbers: Look for firm, unwaxed cucumbers with no blemishes. English or Persian cucumbers work best for smacking.
- Smack the cucumbers gently: Use a rolling pin or meat mallet to smack the cucumbers just hard enough to crack the skin. This will help the cucumbers absorb the marinade better.
- Make the marinade ahead of time: This will allow the flavors to meld and develop. You can make the marinade up to 24 hours in advance.
- Experiment with different herbs and spices: The marinade is a great place to add your own personal touch. Try adding fresh dill, basil, mint, or chili peppers.
- Chill the cucumbers before serving: This will help them stay crisp and refreshing.
Conclusion:
Smacked cucumbers are a delicious and easy-to-make summer side dish. They are perfect for potlucks, picnics, and barbecues. With a few simple ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create a dish that is both flavorful and refreshing. So next time you are looking for a quick and easy side dish, give smacked cucumbers a try. You won't be disappointed!
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