We went to a block party last night and the instructions were to bring something to grill and a side to share. The party started at 5:30pm and at 4:30pm I was still engrossed in work and it dawned on me that I hadn’t made a side dish yet. With a trip to the grocery store on the plan for the weekend, I looked through my fridge and pantry and realized I had very little that I could just “whip up” as a side dish. Being a food blogger and someone who enjoys cooking, the expectations of what you are going to show up with at an event like this can be set a little high.
As I was trying to rack my brain for ideas, I decided to instant message one of my co-workers to see if she had any ideas. She rambled off a list of things, but it was the Cucumber Salad that got my attention. She had made it for her Book Club group the weekend before and it got rave reviews. She said lots of ladies asked for the recipe. The best part about it was I had everything, but the cucumbers, on hand. My husband was out so I called him and he brought the cucumbers home.
The salad was incredibly easy to pull together…we are talking a 10 minutes or less kind of salad. The aroma was tempting and I was in love at first nibble. The only problem was, my poor salad looked very bland. The green of the cucumbers and the green of the onions blended together and the salad had no “bowl appeal”.
I took my salad to the party with me and was disappointed when I watched person after person pass it by. Finally, one lady gave it a chance and when she sat down near me she said something about how good it was. A few more people gave it a try, but I came home with at least half of the salad left over. Of course, as we walked home, I nibbled and nibbled on the salad and it was almost gone by the time our walk was through!
So, my suggestion… please give this poor salad a try. I promise that you’ll like it! I wouldn’t suggest taking it to a pot luck because it really does lack that temptress nature. If you are having a sit down meal at your own home, pass this around and I can guarantee it will be a hit. It may not be beautiful, but it sure is good!
From my friend Deborah who got it from an issue of Cooking Light Magazine
Cucumber Salad with Rice Vinegar Dressing
3 cups thinly sliced seeded peeled cucumber (about 2 medium)
3 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 teaspoon sugar
2 teaspoons dark sesame oil
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 tablespoons chopped green onions
1 1/2 tablespoons chopped unsalted, dry-roasted peanuts
Combine first 5 ingredients in a medium bowl; toss to coat cucumber. Sprinkle with onions and peanuts before serving.
Yield: 6 servings (serving size: 1/2 cup salad, 1 teaspoon green onions, and 3/4 teaspoon peanuts)
CALORIES 42 (60% from fat); FAT 2.8g (sat 0.4g,mono 1.2g,poly 1g); PROTEIN 1g; CHOLESTEROL 0.0mg; CALCIUM 12mg; SODIUM 199mg; FIBER 0.7g; IRON 0.3mg; CARBOHYDRATE 3.7g
This sounds like a wonderfully refreshing summer salad. Perfect for a picnic! Thanks so much for sharing this! 🙂
I love this kind of salad…and my mom practically swoons over it! I really must make it sometime soon!
How light and refreshing. Cucumber salad is always so light.
Without changing things way too much how about some sweet red bell peppers about the same size as the cucumber. I really love cucumber and I’m just sure this would be terrific.
What a stunning little side dish. Perfect for a BBQ. Very nice!
A great way to add color is to add thinly sliced carrrots. I had at a restaurant as a garnish and enjoyed it more than whatever the real food was.
cucumber salad is one of my favorite summer side dishes, but i’ve never made it with sesame oil – i’ll definitely have to try that next time i make it (which will probably be tomorrow).
I make a similar cucumber salad, To add color and kick you can add red pepper flakes or fresh thai peppers. The heat from the peppers is balanced by the coolness of the cucumber.
Sounds refreshing for a hot summer day. I’m thinking maybe to add some sliced radish for a little color?
Well I think it looks very pretty and appealing in the little dishes you have. It would be great alongside beef or chicken skewers and peanut satay sauce!
Did you get the package with the note cards I sent?
I love cucumber salads, and this sounds particularly good…. But, the never do have much going for them in the looks department, do they! Pale green, boring…
I’ll try it anyway!
Love the photo! I also enjoy different kinds of cucumber salads and agree with Huyen’s suggestions–a little hot pepper may add just the right dash of color and kick.
This sounds really fresh and simple for summer.
I made this salad over the weekend (minus the green onions & peanuts, b/c I didn’t have any on hand) and found it very refreshing. I think if I’d had the green onions & peanuts on hand, I’d like it more. 🙂
I love a cucumber salad… this will be great for the summer get-togethers we have comig up!
Crisp and refreshing salad! I like the addition of the peanuts, too.
I made a cucumber salad awhile back, and although the recipe is quite different, maybe throwing in a red onion instead of the green would help liven up the appearance. I know the red onion really brightened up the appearance of the one I made!
But even if it did get passed over, I would be happy to eat the left overs!!
Mmm, I love cucumber!
wonderful photo (great DoF)–
and yummy cucumbers…
I just popped over here on a recommendation from Kalyn’s Kitchen and can’t wait to give this a try.
Is there a reason why you cant leave the skin, or at least part of the skin, on the cucumber to add a little color to the dish? Would English cucumbers work?
I also find myself here via Kalyn’s Kitchen, i have a suggestion to boost the ‘bowl appeal’ – replacing the crushed peanuts with black sesame seeds (the kind you use for sushi)? I agree adding carrot, red pepper or especially radishes would add colour, but possibly detract from the simple cucumber concept.
I’m gonna try a good handful of chopped coriander (cilantro) or dill could be really good with the sesame.