Crispy Sautéed Cucumber Side Dish
Crispy Sautéed Cucumber Side Dish
Super Simple Summer Side Dish: How to Make Crispy Sautéed Cucumbers
Let’s make a sautéed cucumber dish with the best crispy texture. Perfect as a quick side dish!
Main Ingredients- 2 Cucumbers
- 1/4 Carrot
- 1 handful Green Onions (or Scallions)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
We’re going to make a sautéed cucumber dish that’s perfect as a side for rice when quickly stir-fried. It’s a wonderful side dish to enjoy, especially when you don’t have much appetite during the hot summer.
Step 2
First, wash the cucumbers thoroughly. It’s even better to rub them with coarse salt to remove any dirt or impurities from the surface. This also helps reduce any bitterness from the cucumber and keeps its crispy texture.
Step 3
Slice the washed cucumbers into rounds about 0.5 cm thick. Place the sliced cucumbers in a bowl, sprinkle with 1-2 teaspoons of coarse salt, and let them sit for 10 to 15 minutes to salt. Allow the cucumbers to become slightly limp. Salting them this way draws out excess moisture, preventing the dish from becoming watery when cooked and enhancing their crispiness.
Step 4
While the cucumbers are salting, peel the carrot and cut it into thin matchsticks. Adding carrots to the sautéed cucumbers not only makes the dish visually appealing but also adds a nice crunch and nutritional value. After salting, gently rinse the cucumbers under running water to remove excess salt. Then, squeeze out as much water as possible with your hands. Be careful not to squeeze too hard, as this can make the cucumbers mushy.
Step 5
Now, let’s start stir-frying. Heat 1-2 tablespoons of cooking oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the chopped green onions and cook until their aroma is released, creating scallion-infused oil. Once the scallion oil is fragrant, add the cucumbers and stir-fry quickly. Stir-frying over high heat rapidly will prevent the cucumbers from becoming soft and maintain their crispiness.
Step 6
Add the cucumbers to the pan and stir-fry over high heat for about 1 minute. Once the cucumbers start to look slightly translucent and wilted, add the julienned carrots, 1/2 teaspoon of minced garlic, and a pinch of sugar (if you prefer a touch of sweetness). Continue to stir-fry together. It’s important not to overcook them, so the carrots retain their crispiness.
Step 7
Finally, just before turning off the heat, sprinkle in 1 teaspoon of toasted sesame seeds and, if desired, a drizzle of sesame oil for extra flavor. Your delicious sautéed cucumber side dish is ready! The vibrant green color of the cucumber is preserved, and the satisfying crunch makes this an excellent side dish to stimulate your appetite during hot weather. It’s a tasty cucumber dish that will make you want to finish your rice bowl in no time. Be sure to try making it!
