recipe : sunomono

[suriel]

I love cucumbers. I love the cool crunch and the delicate flavor and the seemingly endless things you can do with them, not the least of which is pickles. These are a kind of quick* japanese pickled salad (sunomono means "vinegared things") that makes a delicious side for a light lunch.

* Well, I say quick. There's actually quite a bit of hands-off time (a couple hours); the prep time is about 20 minutes.

special stuff needed: none

ingredients

1 English cucumber
1 tbsp salt
9 tbsp rice wine vinegar
3 tbsp sugar
6-10 drops dark sesame oil

1. Peel the cucumber, if you like. (If you got the kind that comes wrapped in plastic, it's not necessary. If you had to get the waxed kind, you should definitely peel it.) Slice the cucumer lengthwise, then crosswise in very thin slices. A mandoline is very handy here, but your knife skills are probably better than mine.


2. Place the cucumber in a wire mesh strainer or colander and sprinkle with the salt. Let stand for an hour (or more). This does two things: it draws the moisture out of the cucumer, so that the delicate dressing stands a better chance, and it also crisps the slices slightly. Don't freak out about the amount of salt; most of it drains away with the liquid.


3. In the meantime, whisk together the remaining ingredients (vinegar through sesame oil) until the sugar dissolves.


4. Drain the cucumber slices well. Transfer to a small bowl, pour on dressing, cover and chill for at least an hour, stirring occasionally.


5. Before serving, taste and correct seasoning -- it may need a wee pinch more salt.

And that's it! You can also add other ingredients for a more flavorful or substantial salad:

• 1 shallot, very thinly sliced
• 1/4 to 1/2 small red onion, quarted and very thinly sliced
• 1 green onion, both green and white parts, sliced thinly on the diagonal
• 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds
• 1/2 cup lump crabmeat
• 1/2 cup tiny salad shrimp, cooked (or the precooked frozen kind, thawed)


• 1/2 pound tofu, cubed
• etc.

Serves 2 as a side dish, or 1 if it's me. Also scales up nicely.

originally posted on splinters