Thai Cucumber Salad
I told myself I wouldn’t be emotional on my son’s last day of preschool. But here I sit with a small well of tears threatening to spill out of the corner of my eye. He was sent home with a binder of all of his memories from this past year and it’s incredible how much he’s learned and evolved throughout the year. Not that I was expecting anything different as he’s an intelligent young lad. It’s just that now I’m being faced with evidence of the fact that he REALLY won’t be so little for very much longer. This fall I’ll be waving to him as he boards the bus to kindergarten so be prepared for an emotional post come September! Much like my son’s evolution this past year, vegetables can evolve into something spectacular like a Thai cucumber salad. Maybe that’s a weird segue into food but I take comfort in food comparisons. In this case, the ability of a humble cucumber to be elevated to a pickle status via a simple marinade.
This recipe for Thai cucumber salad is loosely based on recipes I’ve found for Namasu or Japanese pickles. I’ve made them into a cute colorful salad first by peeling the skin of the cucumber lengthwise only on part of the cucumber leaving strips of peel as well. Then cut the cucumber lengthwise and remove the seeds. When sliced, these look like crescent moons. Tossed in a mixture of rice vinegar, honey, salt and red pepper flakes, these cucumber bites morph into easy pickles that are sure to please your palate. You can make them a tish creamy if desired by adding a small amount of unsweetened Greek yogurt (pictured below) which also gives them a delicious tangy-ness!
- 2 English cucumbers, cut in half, seeded and sliced
- 3 green onions, sliced
- ¼ cup rice wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon honey
- ⅛-¼ teaspoon red pepper flakes
- ¼-1/2 teaspoon pink himalayan salt (to taste)
- 2 tablespoons plain whole milk Greek yogurt (optional)
- In a bowl, combine vinegar, honey, pepper flakes, salt, and yogurt.
- Peel a few lengths along the cucumber leaving some of the peel on for a varigated effect.
- Cut cucumbers in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds with a melon baller or tablespoon. Slice into ¼” slices and add to the bowl.
- Add green onions and stir to coat.
- Serve immediately or let marinate up to half a day in fridge.
Copyright secured by Digiprove © 2017