Chinese Smacked Cucumber with Garlic (Suan Ni Pai Huang Gua)

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Chinese Smacked Cucumber with Garlic

Ingredients – Serves Two

• 1 cucumber

• 1/2 tsp salt

• 1tbsp chopped garlic

• 2 tsp light soy sauce

• 1/2 tsp caster sugar

• 2 tbsp chilli oil

• 1/2 tsp Chinkiang vinegar

Preparation

Start out by laying the cucumber on a chopping board and giving it a few good wallops with a rolling pin or the flat side of a Chinese cleaver (or a robust wooden spoon if you have neither, as in my case), until it begins to crack and releases its juice. Once done, cut into bite sized chunks, before laying in a bowl, adding the salt, mixing well, and leaving for about ten minutes.

Meanwhile, combine all the other ingredients in a bowl. Then add to the cucumber and toss well. Leave to marinate for a short time, or even leave in the fridge to serve it extra chilled.

bon appetit