Crispy Crab Stick and Cucumber Salad: A Refreshing and Simple Recipe
Refreshing Crab Stick and Cucumber Salad
This ‘Crab Stick and Cucumber Salad’ is a wonderfully refreshing and clean-tasting dish made with common ingredients like cucumber and imitation crab sticks. It’s perfect as a light breakfast, a snack, or even an appetizer to accompany drinks. Enjoy a versatile dish that satisfies multiple needs with one simple recipe. The crisp texture and balanced dressing will surely whet your appetite.
Main Ingredients- 1 Cucumber
- 90 g Imitation Crab Sticks (Kamaboko)
- 1/2 Onion
Harmonizing Dressing- 2 Tbsp Mayonnaise
- 1 tsp Mustard Seeds
- 1 Tbsp Lemon Juice
- 1 tsp Sugar
- Salt to taste
- Pinch of Black Pepper
- Wasabi (Japanese horseradish) about the size of a pea (adjust to your preference)
- 2 Tbsp Mayonnaise
- 1 tsp Mustard Seeds
- 1 Tbsp Lemon Juice
- 1 tsp Sugar
- Salt to taste
- Pinch of Black Pepper
- Wasabi (Japanese horseradish) about the size of a pea (adjust to your preference)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare the main ingredients for the recipe: 1 cucumber, 90g of imitation crab sticks, and half an onion. Start by washing all ingredients thoroughly.
Step 2
For the washed cucumber, peel it partially. Instead of peeling it completely, you can use a vegetable peeler to remove strips of skin, leaving some on for a better texture and visual appeal.
Step 3
Next, thinly slice the cucumber into matchsticks about 0.5 cm thick, making sure to discard the seedy core. Using a mandoline slicer or a julienne peeler will help you achieve uniform thickness, enhancing the dish’s presentation.
Step 4
Avoid slicing the watery, seedy center part of the cucumber as it can make the salad mushy. If you’re slicing by hand with a knife, it’s helpful to first quarter the cucumber and then slice it.
Step 5
Shred the imitation crab sticks into thin strands following their natural lines. Slice the onion thinly to match the thickness of the cucumber matchsticks. Keeping the ingredient sizes consistent ensures the dressing coats everything evenly for the best flavor.
Step 6
Place the sliced cucumber and onion in a bowl and sprinkle with two pinches of salt. Gently toss them to distribute the salt. This initial salting will draw out excess moisture, making the vegetables crisper.
Step 7
Let the salted cucumber and onion sit for about 10 minutes to allow them to soften slightly and release their water.
Step 8
After 10 minutes, take the salted cucumber and onion and squeeze out as much liquid as possible. You can use a clean kitchen towel or cheesecloth to ensure they are well-drained.
Step 9
By thoroughly squeezing out the water, you’ll prevent the salad from becoming watery and ensure the cucumber and onion retain a delightful crispness, making the salad exceptionally tasty.
Step 10
Combine the drained cucumber and onion with the shredded imitation crab sticks in a larger bowl. Now all the components are ready to be mixed.
Step 11
Add all the dressing ingredients to the bowl with the prepared ingredients. Gently toss everything together until the dressing evenly coats all the components. Be careful not to overmix, as this could make the cucumber soft.
Step 12
Feel free to adjust the amount of each dressing ingredient to suit your personal taste. Particularly, adjust the amount of wasabi based on your preference for spiciness. If you’d like more tanginess, add more lemon juice or sugar, and adjust the salt if you desire more umami.
Step 13
Using chopsticks to gently mix the ingredients helps distribute the dressing evenly without clumping, resulting in a beautifully coated and delicious crab stick and cucumber salad.
