Crisp and Fragrant Cucumber and Chive Salad (Oi Buchu Muchim)
Crisp and Fragrant Cucumber and Chive Salad (Oi Buchu Muchim)
An Easy and Delicious Side Dish: Crisp Cucumber and Chive Salad
I made this wonderfully simple cucumber and chive salad after spotting cucumbers on sale at the market! The refreshing crunch of the cucumbers combined with the fragrant chives creates a delightful side dish that will tantalize your taste buds, especially when you have a reduced appetite. The preparation is so straightforward, even beginner cooks can easily follow along.
Main Ingredients- 2 cucumbers
- 1 large handful of chives
- 1/4 onion
Seasoning Ingredients- 2 Tbsp fish sauce
- 3 Tbsp red pepper flakes
- 1 Tbsp plum extract
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
- 2 Tbsp fish sauce
- 3 Tbsp red pepper flakes
- 1 Tbsp plum extract
- 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic
- 1 Tbsp sesame seeds
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, gently scrape the spines off the cucumbers with the back of a knife. Then, use a vegetable peeler to remove strips of the skin, creating a more appealing look and texture. Slice the cucumbers diagonally into 0.5cm thick half-moons. Cutting them not too thinly is key to maintaining their crispness.
Step 2
Take a large handful of chives, wash them thoroughly, and cut them into lengths similar to the cucumber pieces. Cutting them to an appropriate length will make them easier to eat; avoid making them too long.
Step 3
In a bowl, combine the seasoning ingredients: 2 Tbsp fish sauce, 3 Tbsp red pepper flakes, 1 Tbsp plum extract, and 1/2 Tbsp minced garlic. Mix well to create the dressing. The plum extract adds a wonderful depth of flavor, and you can adjust the amount of red pepper flakes to your preference.
Step 4
Add the sliced cucumbers to the prepared dressing and gently toss them to coat lightly. Be careful not to mix too vigorously, as this can cause the cucumbers to become mushy.
Step 5
To the lightly coated cucumbers, add the chopped chives and thinly sliced onion. Mix them together. The onion will help balance the spiciness and add extra crunch.
Step 6
Now, gently combine all the ingredients until they are well mixed. Using your hands to mix softly will help preserve the shape of the ingredients, resulting in a beautifully presented salad.
Step 7
Finally, sprinkle 1 Tbsp of sesame seeds over the salad as desired. The nutty aroma of the sesame seeds will further enhance the overall flavor of the cucumber and chive salad.
Step 8
Once you’ve added the sesame seeds and tossed everything gently one last time, your delicious cucumber and chive salad is ready! It’s great to enjoy immediately, or you can chill it in the refrigerator for a while for an even cooler and more refreshing taste. This dish is perfect as a side for rice or even as a light salad.
