Crisp & Delicious Cucumber Salad for Kids
[Kid-Friendly Dish] Not Spicy, Sweet & Sour Cucumber Salad with a Satisfying Crunchy Texture
Does your child dislike cucumbers? Change their mind with this recipe! This cucumber salad is made mild and perfectly tailored for children’s palates. By removing excess moisture, it achieves a wonderfully crisp and chewy texture. You can enjoy it with a savory or a tangy flavor profile.
Savory Cucumber Salad Ingredients- 1 cucumber
- 1/2 Tbsp salt (for salting)
- 2 pinches salt (for seasoning)
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds (whole or crushed)
- 1/2 Tbsp sesame oil
Tangy Cucumber Salad Ingredients- 1 cucumber
- 1/2 Tbsp salt (for salting)
- 2 pinches salt (for seasoning)
- 1 Tbsp vinegar
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds (whole or crushed)
- 1 cucumber
- 1/2 Tbsp salt (for salting)
- 2 pinches salt (for seasoning)
- 1 Tbsp vinegar
- 1/2 Tbsp sugar
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds (whole or crushed)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the cucumber thoroughly. Slice it thinly, about 2-3mm thick, on the bias or into rounds. Ensure the pieces are bite-sized for easy eating by children.
Step 2
Add 1/2 tablespoon of salt to the sliced cucumbers and gently mix. Let it sit for 10 to 15 minutes to draw out the moisture and salt the cucumbers. This step is crucial for achieving a crisp texture and preventing sogginess.
Step 3
The key to this recipe is to thoroughly squeeze out the water from the salted cucumbers. Use a fine-mesh cloth or clean kitchen towel. Place the cucumbers inside and firmly press with your hands to remove as much liquid as possible. If you don’t have a cloth, you can squeeze them firmly by hand.
Step 4
After squeezing out the water, add 2 pinches of salt to season the cucumbers. Adjust the amount to your taste. If it seems a bit bland, add a little more salt.
Step 5
If using sesame seeds, it’s best to lightly crush or grind them before adding. This can be done using a small grinder or mortar and pestle. Crushed sesame seeds will infuse a deeper, more nutty flavor into the salad compared to whole seeds.
Step 6
Now, let’s make two flavor variations! For the ‘Savory Cucumber Salad’, combine the squeezed cucumbers with crushed sesame seeds and sesame oil, and mix gently. For the ‘Tangy Cucumber Salad’, add vinegar, sugar, and crushed sesame seeds, and mix quickly. Be careful not to overmix, as this can release more water from the cucumbers.
Step 7
And there you have it – your perfectly crisp, kid-approved cucumber salad! This is a fantastic side dish for picky eaters or on days when appetites are low. Serve it with rice, and you might be surprised at how well your child enjoys it. Try making both the savory and tangy versions to offer variety!
