This is a simple and flavorful salad, perfect for a hot summer day. The cucumbers are thinly sliced and tossed with a light sesame dressing, creating a cool and crunchy side dish.

Ingredients:

• 2 medium cucumbers, peeled (optional)
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon sugar, or honey (optional)
• 2 teaspoons soy sauce
• ½ teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
• Crushed red pepper flakes to taste (optional)

 

Instructions:

1. Slice the cucumbers very thinly. You can use a mandoline slicer for perfectly even slices.
2. Place the cucumber slices on a paper towel to absorb some of the moisture. This will help prevent the salad from becoming watery.
3. In a medium bowl, whisk together the rice vinegar, sesame oil, sugar (or honey), soy sauce, and salt.
4. Add the cucumber slices to the dressing and toss to coat.
5. Taste and add crushed red pepper flakes for a touch of spice (optional).
6. Garnish with sesame seeds and serve chilled.

 

Tips:

• For a more flavorful salad, you can toast the sesame seeds in a dry pan over medium heat for a few minutes, until fragrant.
• If you don’t have rice vinegar, you can substitute with white vinegar or apple cider vinegar.
• This salad can be made up to 4 hours ahead of time, but it’s best served fresh.