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Smashed Cucumber Salad with Avocado and Tomato

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This refreshing and crunchy smashed cucumber salad is perfect for a hot sultry evening or to pair with spicy food. The crunch of the cucumbers pairs well with the silkiness of the avocados and the tomatoes add color and pop. Can be made in advance.

Ingredients

Scale

For the cucumbers:

  • 1 pound Persian cucumbers
  • Large pinch kosher salt
  • Large pinch sugar 

For dressing: 

  • 1 1/2 T rice vinegar
  • 2 t sugar
  • 2 t soy sauce
  • 2 t toasted sesame seed oil
  • 1 t or more Chinese chili oil (to taste)

For garnish:

  • 2 garlic cloves peeled and finely minced
  • 1” piece of ginger, peeled and grated
  • 1/2 avocado, peeled and sliced
  • Handful of cherry tomatoes
  • Toasted sesame seeds
  • Red pepper flakes

 

Instructions

  1. Cut the ends off of the cucumbers and then slice them in half from end to end. Using a small spoon, remove the seeds. Cut each half across the width into two inch pieces. Taking a wide blade knife such as a cleaver or a chef’s knife, lay the blade down on the skin-side of each piece of cucumber and smash down with the palm of your hand. Smash each piece several times. 
  2. Put the smashed pieces of cucumber in a strainer and toss with a large pinch of kosher salt and sugar. Note a large pinch is made with all five fingers and is about 3/4 of a teaspoon. Place a large bag of ice cubes on top of the cucumbers and let them rest for 15 to 30 minutes, or up to four hours in advance.
  3. Shake the cucumbers to eliminate excess liquid and place in a bowl. Set aside.

For the dressing:

  1. Stir the vinegar, rice and salt together to dissolve. Whisk in soy sauce, sesame seed oil and chili oil. Taste and adjust as needed. 

Assembling the salad:

  1. Toss the cucumbers with half of the dressing and pile on one end of a serving platter. Arrange the sliced avocado and tomatoes next to the cucumbers. 
  2. Scatter the minced and grated garlic and ginger over everything. Drizzle remaining dressing over avocado and tomatoes. Garnish cucumbers, tomato and avocado with toasted sesame seeds and red pepper flakes. 

Notes

This salad is addictive. It is easy to expand for larger groups or to make for just one or two people. I would plan half a pound of cucumber per person. 

Find it online: https://somethingnewfordinner.com/recipe/smashed-cucumber-salad-with-avocado-and-tomatoes/

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