Sesame Cucumber Salad – Sybaritica

This Sesame Cucumber Salad can be prepared quickly and easily and makes a very attractive side salad or starter for a Chinese, Japanese, or Korean meal.

• 2 – 3 Baby Cucumbers sliced into thin sticks;
• ¾ tsp. Salt;
• 3 tbsp. Mirin or 3 tbsp. Rice Wine plus 1 tsp. Sugar;
• 1/3 tsp very finely minced Garlic;
• ½ tsp. finely minced Ginger;
• 1/8 tsp Sesame Oil optional.

• Toss the cucumber sticks with the salt and let sit for about 30 minutes or so until they throw off a little of their juice.
• Mix together the Mirin (or substitute) along with the garlic, ginger and sesame oil and allow to sit for at least 30 minutes to let the flavors blend.
• Toast the sesame seeds in a dry pan until they start to turn golden and release their aroma. Then crush them lightly and set aside.
• Finally, rinse the cucumber sticks and squeeze vigorously to expel as much liquid as possible then toss with the dressing and let sit for a further 15 minutes.
• When ready to serve, toss the cucumber with the Sesame Seed, plate, and garnish as desired.