Refreshing Cucumber and Seaweed Salad with Sweet and Sour Dressing
A Delightful Mix of Cucumber and Seaweed in a Tangy Dressing
This cucumber and seaweed salad is refreshingly sweet, sour, and zesty! Perfect for a light and flavorful appetizer or side dish that will awaken your taste buds.
Main Ingredients- Dried seaweed (cut) – 1 handful (approx. 20g)
- Cucumber – 1 medium
- Onion – 1/2
- Bell pepper (red, yellow, etc.) – a small amount
Sweet and Sour Dressing- Soy sauce – 3 Tbsp
- Vinegar – 2 Tbsp (rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar recommended)
- Plum extract (Maesil Cheong) – 3 Tbsp (or 2 Tbsp sugar + 1 Tbsp water)
- Lemon juice – 1/2 Tbsp (optional, for extra zest)
- Oligosaccharide (or corn syrup) – 1 Tbsp (for shine and sweetness)
- Minced garlic – 1/2 Tbsp
- Toasted sesame seeds – a pinch
- Soy sauce – 3 Tbsp
- Vinegar – 2 Tbsp (rice vinegar or apple cider vinegar recommended)
- Plum extract (Maesil Cheong) – 3 Tbsp (or 2 Tbsp sugar + 1 Tbsp water)
- Lemon juice – 1/2 Tbsp (optional, for extra zest)
- Oligosaccharide (or corn syrup) – 1 Tbsp (for shine and sweetness)
- Minced garlic – 1/2 Tbsp
- Toasted sesame seeds – a pinch
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, soak the dried seaweed in cold water for about 10 minutes until fully rehydrated. Rinse the rehydrated seaweed thoroughly under cold running water to remove any saltiness or impurities.
Step 2
Gently squeeze out as much water as possible from the rinsed seaweed using your hands. Place the squeezed seaweed in a mixing bowl. Ensuring minimal water content will prevent the salad from becoming watery.
Step 3
Wash the cucumber and peel its skin using a vegetable peeler. While you can leave the skin on, peeling results in a cleaner color. Slice the cucumber into bite-sized pieces (about 3-4 cm long, cut in half or quarters). Thinly julienne the bell pepper and onion, then add them to the bowl with the seaweed.
Step 4
Now, let’s prepare the delicious dressing! In a separate small bowl, whisk together all the dressing ingredients: soy sauce, vinegar, plum extract, lemon juice, oligosaccharide, and minced garlic. Feel free to adjust the sweetness and sourness to your preference.
Step 5
Pour the prepared dressing over the ingredients in the main bowl. Gently mix everything together with your hands, as if massaging it (‘jo-mul jo-mul’), until all the ingredients are evenly coated with the dressing. Be careful not to overmix. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds just before serving for a beautiful finish. Your refreshing cucumber and seaweed salad is ready!
