Seasoned Cucumber Salad (Oiji Muchim)
Unlock a Delicious Side Dish: The Golden Recipe for Refreshing Seasoned Cucumber!
I tried pickling cucumbers for the first time! Seasoning them made them taste even better, and they’re perfect as a rice-pairing side dish when you don’t have much of an appetite. A true ‘rice thief’!
Ingredients
- 4 Korean pickled cucumbers (Oiji)
- 1 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1.5 Tbsp sesame oil
- 3.5 Tbsp red pepper flakes (Gochugaru)
- A pinch of sesame seeds
- 3.5 Tbsp plum extract (Maesilcheong)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, it’s important to moderately rinse the saltiness from the pickled cucumbers. Soak the Oiji in cool water for about 5-10 minutes to draw out some of the salt. Be careful not to soak them for too long, as they might become too bland. Taste a piece of the cucumber; once the saltiness is reduced to your liking, squeeze out as much water as possible using your hands. Then, slice the cucumbers into bite-sized pieces, about 1 cm thick. Place the sliced cucumbers into a bowl to prepare for the seasoning.
Step 2
Now, let’s prepare the delicious seasoning to mix with the cucumbers. Add the prepared Oiji to the bowl and mix in 3.5 Tbsp of red pepper flakes (Gochugaru), 3.5 Tbsp of plum extract (Maesilcheong), and 1 Tbsp of minced garlic. This golden ratio of seasonings will enhance the savory flavor of the cucumbers. Feel free to add a little sugar or vinegar to suit your taste.
Step 3
Gently toss and mix the seasonings into the cucumbers with your hands until evenly coated. Mixing gently helps to prevent the cucumbers from becoming mushy and preserves their crisp texture. Once the seasonings are well combined, add 1.5 Tbsp of sesame oil for a nutty aroma and mix again lightly. Adding the sesame oil at the end ensures its fragrant flavor doesn’t evaporate, allowing for a rich taste.
Step 4
We’re almost done! For the final touch, sprinkle a pinch of sesame seeds over the salad. The sesame seeds not only make the dish visually appealing but also add an extra layer of nutty flavor. And there you have it – a perfectly seasoned, refreshing, and slightly spicy Oiji Muchim is ready! Enjoy this delicious side dish with a bowl of freshly cooked warm rice!