Crisp Cucumber and Pickled Plum Salad
Crisp Cucumber and Pickled Plum Salad: A Sweet, Spicy, and Tangy Summer Vegetable Side Dish
This refreshing summer side dish features cucumbers tossed with pickled plums for a delightful sweet and sour kick, without the need for salting the cucumbers beforehand.
Main Ingredients
- 1 cucumber
- 1/2 onion
- Pickled plum (minced)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Wash the fresh cucumber thoroughly, pat it dry, and then slice it into bite-sized pieces according to your preference. Thinly slicing on an angle or chopping finely will enhance its crisp texture. Slice the onion similarly.
Step 2
If you have pickled plums (maesil jangajji), mince them finely. The unique sweet and sour flavor of pickled plums will greatly enhance this dish. If you don’t have pickled plums, you can omit this ingredient.
Step 3
In a large bowl, combine the prepared cucumber, onion, and minced pickled plums. Add 1 tablespoon of gochujang, 1 tablespoon of gochugaru, 1 tablespoon of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of plum extract, and 1 tablespoon of vinegar. The ratio is a basic 1:1:1 for these seasonings, but feel free to adjust the amounts of soy sauce, vinegar, and plum extract to suit your taste. Gently mix everything together until well combined.
Step 4
It’s best to avoid adding sesame oil, as it can overpower the fresh flavor of the cucumber and the pickled plums. Instead, finish by generously sprinkling toasted sesame seeds for a nutty aroma. Serve attractively on a clean plate.
