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View Full Version : Review: Spicy Cucumber Salad with Peanuts (June '01)


makedah
05-21-2001, 04:55 PM
I just made this. It is yummy, but considerably more labor than how I usually eat cucumbers -- ice cold with a dusting of kosher salt. It had a nice sweet/sour flavor and the pepper flakes and onion gave it a nice kick.

I used more pepper flakes than the recipe called for, and probably didn't let the vinegar mixture reduce enough. I also topped it with more peanuts. And finally, I forgot to do the final part of the draining. Come to think of it, it would work much better if the cucumbers were completely drained.

If I made this again, I would also increase the amount of onion. This recipe was in a story about gardening.

For those of you who haven't gotten your June issue yet:

Spicy Cucumber Salad with Peanuts
1 1/2 lbs. cucumber, peeled, halved lengthwise, and thinly sliced (about 4 cups)
2 tsp. kosher salt
1/2 c. rice vinegar
1/2 c. water
3 T sugar
1/4 tsp. crushed red pepper
2 T red onion
1 T chopped dry-roasted peanuts

Place the cucumber slices in a colander. Sprinkle with salt. Toss well and drain for 1 hour. PLace cucumber slices on several layers of paper towels; cover with additional paper towels. Let stand 5 minutes, pressing down occasionally. Rinse and pat dry.

Combine vinegar, water, sugar and pepper in a small saucepan. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cook until reduced to 1/3 cup (about 10 minutes). Remove vinegar reduction from heat; cool. Stir in onion. Combine cucumbers and vinegar reduction in a medium bowl, toss well. Sprinkle with peanuts. Yield: 4 servings.

Wienie
05-30-2001, 11:16 PM
I agree, this was a great salad. Really no more work than your standard vinegar/cuke salad. Definately on the sweet side but with a nice bite from the pepper flakes. The peanuts give a great crunch contrast. Reminded me somewhat of bread and butter pickles.
Brought it in to work today and everyone requested the recipe.
Jeanne

Donna P
05-30-2001, 11:29 PM
I made this last night and it really is a lot of work for a simple salad. Except for the red pepper flakes and nuts, it tasted just like the salad I make every night in the summer -

Thinly sliced cukes, seed if necessary
Thinly sliced onion

Toss with seasoned rice wine vinegar (the sugar seasoned); spinkle with ground black pepper and celery salt.

Easy, no draining of cukes, no cooking dressing.

Peggy
06-19-2001, 10:34 PM
Another positive review for this salad! It was somewhat labor intensive for what appears to be a simple salad, but all of the steps are worth it. The cucumbers were very "crispy". It was quite refreshing for a hot summer evening.

Peggy

misstapioca
07-05-2001, 08:10 AM
This was a terrific salad!
I loved the contrasting flavors, sweet and sour. I had to bring this to a friend at 12 am who just loves cucumber salad. I followed the ingredients and directions with no substitutions or changes. It was time consuming but well worth the wait/work.

KValley
07-05-2001, 01:32 PM
A dissenting voice! For the amount of work, I would not make this again. I would take pieces of it- the kosher salt, the peanuts (I used roasted soy nuts), the vinegar and red pepper, but avoid the cooking and draining. Donna P, I like your suggestion!