Refreshing Cucumber and Crab Stick Salad
A Zesty Cucumber and Crab Stick Salad to Awaken Your Appetite
Introducing a unique cucumber dish that will revitalize your taste buds, especially during the summer months. The crisp cucumber, tender crab sticks, and a tangy mustard dressing create a perfect harmony. It’s simple yet elegant, making it an excellent choice for entertaining guests.
Main Ingredients
- 2 fresh cucumbers
- 3 pinches of fine salt
- 1/4 red bell pepper, for vibrant color
- 100g imitation crab sticks
Zesty Mustard Dressing
- 1 Tbsp hot mustard paste (e.g., Korean mustard)
- 1 Tbsp ‘Manneung Ganjang’ (all-purpose soy sauce) or regular soy sauce
- 2 pinches of salt, for balanced flavor
- 1 Tbsp sugar, for sweetness
- 1 Tbsp corn syrup or oligodang, for gloss and sweetness
- 2.5 Tbsp vinegar, for tanginess
- 1 tsp minced garlic, for aroma
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil, for nutty flavor
- 1 Tbsp hot mustard paste (e.g., Korean mustard)
- 1 Tbsp ‘Manneung Ganjang’ (all-purpose soy sauce) or regular soy sauce
- 2 pinches of salt, for balanced flavor
- 1 Tbsp sugar, for sweetness
- 1 Tbsp corn syrup or oligodang, for gloss and sweetness
- 2.5 Tbsp vinegar, for tanginess
- 1 tsp minced garlic, for aroma
- 1 Tbsp sesame oil, for nutty flavor
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Wash the cucumbers thoroughly under running water. Trim off both ends, then cut them into 3-4 segments, each about 3-4 cm long. Cutting them to a consistent thickness will ensure an even texture.
Step 2
Using a spoon or peeler, gently scrape out the inner seeds of the cucumber segments. Then, thinly julienne the cucumber into strips about 0.3 cm thick. Place the julienned cucumber into a mixing bowl. Slicing them thinly will help them absorb the dressing better.
Step 3
Remove the seeds from the red bell pepper and julienne it into strips similar in thickness to the cucumber (about 0.3 cm). Add the julienned bell pepper to the bowl with the cucumber. The vibrant red color will make the salad look more appealing.
Step 4
Sprinkle 3 pinches of fine salt evenly over the julienned cucumber and bell pepper. Let it sit for about 10 minutes to lightly salt them. This process will enhance the crispness of the cucumber and remove excess moisture, leading to a more delicious salad.
Step 5
Gently shred the imitation crab sticks along their natural grain. This helps to preserve their delicate texture, making the salad more enjoyable. Shred them into bite-sized pieces. Be careful not to shred them too finely.
Step 6
Now, let’s prepare the delicious mustard dressing. In a wide bowl, combine 1 Tbsp of ‘Manneung Ganjang’ (or soy sauce), 2.5 Tbsp of vinegar for tanginess, 1 Tbsp of corn syrup (or oligodang) for a nice sheen and sweetness, 1 Tbsp of sugar for added sweetness, and 1 Tbsp of sesame oil for its nutty aroma.
Step 7
Add 2 pinches of salt for flavor balance, 1 tsp of minced garlic for aroma, and the star of the salad, 1 Tbsp of hot mustard paste. Whisk all the ingredients together with a spoon or whisk until the dressing is well combined and smooth. Tip: Feel free to adjust the amount of vinegar and mustard paste to suit your personal preference.
Step 8
Lightly squeeze out the excess moisture from the salted cucumber and bell pepper. Add them to the bowl containing the mustard dressing. Be careful not to squeeze them too hard, as this could make the texture dry.
Step 9
Add the shredded imitation crab sticks to the bowl. Gently toss everything together to ensure the cucumber, bell pepper, and crab sticks are evenly coated with the mustard dressing. It’s important to mix gently to avoid breaking the ingredients.
Step 10
Transfer the well-mixed cucumber and crab stick salad to a serving plate. The combination of colorful bell peppers, white crab sticks, and green cucumber makes for a visually appealing dish.
Step 11
Finally, sprinkle some sesame seeds generously over the salad for an added nutty flavor and visual appeal. This final touch makes the salad look even more appetizing and enhances its taste.
Step 12
While delicious right away, chilling the salad in the refrigerator before serving will make it even more refreshing and enhance its crisp texture. It’s the perfect summer treat!
