Cucumber Shaker Rice Vinegar (Printable Version)

Crisp cucumber tossed with rice vinegar, sesame, and umami-rich seasonings for a vibrant side.

# Needed Ingredients:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 medium cucumbers, chilled
02 - 2 spring onions, finely sliced

→ Seasonings & Umami

03 - 1 ½ teaspoons fine sea salt
04 - 2 teaspoons sugar
05 - 1 tablespoon rice vinegar (unseasoned)
06 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
07 - 1 teaspoon MSG (monosodium glutamate)
08 - ½ teaspoon soy sauce (gluten-free if needed)
09 - 1 small garlic clove, finely minced
10 - ¼ teaspoon white pepper (optional)
11 - 1 teaspoon toasted sesame seeds, plus more for garnish
12 - 1–2 teaspoons chili crisp or chili oil (optional, to taste)

# Steps:

01 - Wash and dry cucumbers, slice off ends, halve lengthwise. Gently smash each half with the flat side of a chef’s knife or rolling pin until they crack. Slice into bite-sized pieces and place in a large bowl.
02 - Add salt and sugar to cucumbers, toss thoroughly, and let sit for 5 minutes to extract excess moisture.
03 - Pour off any liquid released by cucumbers after resting.
04 - Incorporate rice vinegar, sesame oil, MSG, soy sauce, garlic, white pepper if using, and sesame seeds. Toss until ingredients are evenly distributed.
05 - Stir in chili crisp or chili oil to desired spice level.
06 - Gently mix in finely sliced spring onions.
07 - Taste and modify seasoning if necessary. Serve immediately or chill for 10 minutes to enhance crunch.
08 - Sprinkle additional toasted sesame seeds on top before serving.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • It takes ten minutes and feels like youve unlocked a cheat code for flavor.
  • Smashing cucumbers is weirdly therapeutic and makes them absorb the dressing like magic.
  • The MSG isnt scary, its the secret handshake that ties everything together.
02 -
  • Drain that cucumber water or your dressing will be watery and weak, it matters more than you think.
  • Smashing creates craggy edges that hold dressing better than neat slices ever could.
  • MSG is not the villain, its umami in a jar and it makes this recipe sing.
03 -
  • Use a rolling pin if you dont trust your knife skills, it smashes just as well and feels safer.
  • Toast your own sesame seeds in a dry pan for thirty seconds, the flavor difference is huge.
  • If someone says theyre scared of MSG, remind them its in tomatoes and cheese naturally, then watch them take another bite.
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