I have a good friend N, who loves everything Korean. She waxes enthusiastic on anything
from K-pop, to digital perms, to where to get the most authentic Korean food in
the city. Yes, she’s been to Korea and
is going again next year. Yes, she knows
the names of all those cutie Korean singers.
Yes, she refers to Korean dishes by their proper names and not by “the
yummy grilled pork that’s kinda spicy and wrapped in leaves!” like I do.
from K-pop, to digital perms, to where to get the most authentic Korean food in
the city. Yes, she’s been to Korea and
is going again next year. Yes, she knows
the names of all those cutie Korean singers.
Yes, she refers to Korean dishes by their proper names and not by “the
yummy grilled pork that’s kinda spicy and wrapped in leaves!” like I do.
She is also really good at karaoke. (Not that that has anything to do with Korea, because I think every country in Asia has its own karaoke culture. And if you live in the Philippines you *know* that we are the masters 🙂 Woohoo! Challenge accepted!)
Also, she hates vegetables.
This is for N.
Hopefully, a spoonful of Korean will help the vegetables go down 😉
Hopefully, a spoonful of Korean will help the vegetables go down 😉
Spicy Korean Cucumber Salad
(adapted from TheKitchn)
- 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
- 1-2 teaspoons gochujang (Korean red chili pepper paste)
- 1 teaspoon sesame oil
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon sugar
- 3-4 stalks green onion, white and light green parts only,
sliced - 2 medium sized or 1 large cucumber, peeled and sliced
– Whisk together all the ingredients except for the
cucumber. When the dressing is
well-combined and the chili paste dissolved, add the cucumbers and toss to
coat.
cucumber. When the dressing is
well-combined and the chili paste dissolved, add the cucumbers and toss to
coat.
– Serve chilled or at room temperature.
I had actually bookmarked this recipe a while back
because, well, because I like anything chili-flecked and pickley. So onto my Pinterest Crave board it went (if
you’d like to see what else I’m pinning feel free to follow my boards here). I hemmed and hawed because I didn’t have any gochugaru (Korean red
pepper powder) and had yet to buy some. Finally,
with a lone cucumber lamenting its sorry state in my crisper, I realized I had
to make do with what I had on hand. And
what I did have on hand was gochujang (Korean red chili pepper paste). Hmmm.
Can do. I whipped up the dressing
above the rest was history. We had this
with some five-spice fried chicken and, between C and I, this was finished in
no time flat. The contrast between the
cucumber’s cool crunch and the spiciness of the dressing is what makes this
salad a winner. I imagine this will work
wonderfully with any grilled meat or fish…from Gogi Gui (Korean barbecue) to
our own local Pinoy pork barbecue.
because, well, because I like anything chili-flecked and pickley. So onto my Pinterest Crave board it went (if
you’d like to see what else I’m pinning feel free to follow my boards here). I hemmed and hawed because I didn’t have any gochugaru (Korean red
pepper powder) and had yet to buy some. Finally,
with a lone cucumber lamenting its sorry state in my crisper, I realized I had
to make do with what I had on hand. And
what I did have on hand was gochujang (Korean red chili pepper paste). Hmmm.
Can do. I whipped up the dressing
above the rest was history. We had this
with some five-spice fried chicken and, between C and I, this was finished in
no time flat. The contrast between the
cucumber’s cool crunch and the spiciness of the dressing is what makes this
salad a winner. I imagine this will work
wonderfully with any grilled meat or fish…from Gogi Gui (Korean barbecue) to
our own local Pinoy pork barbecue.
Next week I promise you another round-up of links, but
since we are on the topic of Korean food, here is my favorite Korean food blog. If you are interested at all about Korean
cooking, Eating and Living is a definite must-click.
since we are on the topic of Korean food, here is my favorite Korean food blog. If you are interested at all about Korean
cooking, Eating and Living is a definite must-click.
N and I are planning a Korean barbecue soon. I’ll bring this salad and some marinated
kalbi (beef ribs). N with bring the pork
and the music. We’ll rustle up some soju. Suggestions for other dishes are
welcome! It’s the weekend folks…let’s
party!
kalbi (beef ribs). N with bring the pork
and the music. We’ll rustle up some soju. Suggestions for other dishes are
welcome! It’s the weekend folks…let’s
party!
A beautiful side dish! This salad looks mouthwatering.
Cheers,
Rosa
Just looking at this side dish is invigorating! It's perfect for summer and the warmer months 🙂
What an interesting and simple salad! Cucumbers and hot chili sound like a perfect combination–refreshing and spicy all at once.
We're having a party this long weekend in Toronto…and we're serving up some homemade Korean-inspired dishes. Well, actually, Momofuku-inspired dishes! We're having some homemade kimchi, kalbi (my specialty), fuji apple salad in kimchi and blue cheese dressing…hehehe. If you have the Momofuku cookbook, David Chang has many pickling recipes in there! Yours do look fantastic, though! The addition of gochujang is awesome – my fave chili paste! Have a wonderful weekend, Joey!
Ooh, I can imagine how yummy this salad would be beside some homespun bulgogi and rice. (And leftover salad and bulgogi can be lumped into a warmed baguette the next day for a spot-on glorious sandwich 😉 Incidentally, let me share my bulgogi recipe with you here: http://sybdive.wordpress.com/2012/05/14/in-which-the-blogger-tries-her-hand-at-cooking-bulgogi-from-scratch/)
Thanks Rosa!
Hi Zane and Van! It is perfect for warm weather…cooling but at the same time with a spicy kick 🙂
Hi Eileen! It's a great contrast! 🙂
Hi Jen! What a fantastic sounding party! And I really, really must get that cookbook!! Gochujang is truly awesome, I agree!
Hi Midge! It would definitely be a good match for some bulgogi…will check out your recipe!
That sounds lovely. I've only tried making Korean once and… Well, let's say it was less then successful! But I'm gonna give it another go!
oh man! if only i eat cucumber 🙁
Hi Simone! Yes, do give it another try…it's a great cuisine and so nice to be able to have it at home 🙂
Hi Marjorie! I must admit, I am not the biggest fan of cucumber (aside from juice — I love cucumber juice) but I love this salad! 🙂
I love cucumbers! Definitely looking forward to trying this. Really soon, I hope.
fyi I have been trying some of your recipes and they're life changing! 😛
We love Korean food too!
Inquiring minds want to know: what kind of flowering something did you use for garnish? So cute.
Mary, momma to many including 2 boys from Korea and 4 girls from Ethiopia
My korean sister-in-law has converted me to kim-chi, so I'm sure this cucumber recipe would be a great brunch option to try out 🙂
I love a pickled cucumber salad. This one has some lovely unexpected flavours so I am sure I would love it.
Hi Kaoko! Try it! If you like cucumbers (and Asian flavors) I am sure you will enjoy this 🙂
Hi Lula! So happy to hear that! Thanks for letting me know! 🙂
Hi Mary! Let me first say, you are awesome! 🙂 The garnish is actually the flowering part of the green onions that I used 🙂
Hi Jessica! I love kimchi to bits and beyond! This is a great salad to have alongside a brunch spread 🙂
Hi Wizzy! I love the spiciness and Asian slant of this salad…hope you will too!
thanks for sharing...