Pai huang gua (Chinese smashed cucumber salad)

Name: Pai huang gua (Chinese smashed cucumber salad)
Prep time: 20 min
Total time: 20 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: China
Ingredients: 2 Cucumbers; 1 tsp Salt; 3 cloves garlic; 2 tbsp Chinkiang black vinegar; 1 tbsp Light soy sauce; 1 tsp Sugar; 1 tsp Sesame oil; 1 tbsp Chilli oil; 10 g Fresh coriander

Cucumbers smashed with a cleaver so their craggy edges soak up black vinegar, garlic, soy, sesame oil and chilli oil. Cold, crunchy and addictive.

20 min20 prep · 0 cook
EasyDifficulty
70 kcalper serving

Ingredients

4 servings

Cucumbers2
Salt1 tsp
garlic3 cloves
Chinkiang black vinegar2 tbsp
Light soy sauce1 tbsp
Sugar1 tsp
Sesame oil1 tsp
Chilli oil1 tbsp
Fresh coriander10 g

Missing something? Ingredients with × can be left out.

Steps

1
Lay the cucumbers on a board and smash them with the flat of a cleaver or a rolling pin until they split.
2
Cut them into bite-sized chunks, toss with the salt and leave in a colander to drain.
3
Mix the minced garlic with the vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, sesame oil and chilli oil.
4
Shake off the cucumber liquid and toss the pieces with the dressing.
5
Top with coriander leaves and serve cold.

Tips and questions

Why smash instead of slicing?: The rough, cracked surfaces hold far more dressing than clean cuts.
What can replace black vinegar?: A mix of rice vinegar with a few drops of balsamic gets close.
Can I make it ahead?: Dress it no more than 30 minutes before serving, or the cucumber loses its crunch.

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Pai huang gua (Chinese smashed cucumber salad)

Ingredients

Steps

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