Crispy Stir-Fried Cucumbers Recipe
Easy and Delicious Stir-Fried Cucumbers
Introducing a refreshing and crispy stir-fried cucumber recipe that you’ll want to eat every day! This dish is simple yet offers a unique flavor that will whet your appetite. It’s perfect as a side dish for rice or a simple snack with drinks. The coolness of the cucumber, the nutty aroma of perilla oil, and the pungency of garlic come together to create an unforgettable taste.
Main Ingredients- 2 fresh cucumbers
Seasoning and Aromatics- Salt, to taste (for salting cucumbers)
- 1 tsp perilla oil (or sesame oil)
- 1 tsp avocado oil or cooking oil
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- Sesame seeds, to taste
- A tiny pinch of MSG (optional)
- Salt, to taste (for salting cucumbers)
- 1 tsp perilla oil (or sesame oil)
- 1 tsp avocado oil or cooking oil
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- Sesame seeds, to taste
- A tiny pinch of MSG (optional)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, wash the 2 cucumbers thoroughly. You can leave the skin on or peel it, as you prefer. Slice the cucumbers about 0.5 cm thick into bite-sized pieces. Sprinkle a generous amount of coarse salt over the sliced cucumbers and let them sit for about 30 minutes to salt. Salting the cucumbers until they are slightly salty will prevent them from releasing too much water when stir-fried and help the flavor penetrate well, making them delicious. Stir them once midway through to ensure even salting.
Step 2
Once the cucumbers are salted, transfer them to a sieve or colander to drain the excess water. You can also gently press them with your hands to squeeze out some moisture. Removing the water like this is crucial to keep the cucumbers crisp and prevent them from becoming mushy during stir-frying.
Step 3
Now, let’s prepare for stir-frying. Heat a pan over medium-low heat, then add 1 tsp of perilla oil and 1 tsp of avocado oil or your preferred cooking oil. Once the oil is warm, add 1 tsp of minced garlic and sauté until fragrant. When the garlic aroma is released, add the drained cucumbers to the pan. If using, add a very tiny pinch of MSG. Gently toss everything together to combine the ingredients evenly.
Step 4
Increase the heat to medium and quickly stir-fry the cucumbers for about 3 minutes. It’s important to stir-fry just until the cucumbers start to turn translucent while maintaining their crispness. Be careful not to overcook, as they can become soft. Finally, sprinkle generously with sesame seeds to finish. This quick stir-fry creates a simple yet uniquely flavored cucumber dish.
Step 5
Your crispy and nutty stir-fried cucumbers are ready! They make an excellent side dish when served with rice, and their refreshing yet savory taste will stimulate your appetite. (Tip: Slightly saltier preparation tends to taste better when eaten with rice.)
