Broken cucumbers: recipes for Chinese salads

The modern era of globalization allows us to get closer to the traditional cuisines of many peoples of the world. The recipe for Chinese smashed cucumbers is gaining more and more popularity every year in many countries. The variability in the preparation of this dish allows everyone to choose the perfect combination of ingredients for themselves.

What are “broken cucumbers” and why are they called that?

The traditional Chinese recipe is becoming more popular every day. The main purpose of Chinese smashed cucumbers is to increase appetite before eating. For these purposes, they are often seasoned with savory spices and various flavorings.

Chinese chopped vegetables got their name from the original method of preparation.The cucumbers are cut into pieces, placed in a bag with garlic cloves, after which it is tightly closed and lightly beaten using a small mallet or rolling pin. It is important that the vegetables release their juice quickly - this will allow them to better absorb the additional flavors.

Calorie content of crushed cucumber salads

The classic version of the recipe is moderate in calories. Since cucumbers contain only water and a small amount of carbohydrates, the main energy load comes from fatty additives - soy sauce and vegetable oils.

100 g of Chinese-style crushed cucumbers contains:

  • proteins - 7 g;
  • fats - 15 g;
  • carbohydrates - 3 g;
  • calories - 180 kcal;

Depending on the smashed cucumber recipe used, the overall energy value of Chinese salad may vary slightly. Adding a meat component increases the percentage of protein content. If honey or nuts are added to the salad, it becomes more carbohydrate-rich.

How to cook crushed cucumbers in Chinese

The main component of this snack is vegetables. To get the perfect recipe photos from broken cucumbers, you should approach the choice of products as responsibly as possible. Long-fruited varieties are best suited for broken cucumbers. To ensure that the finished product retains its juiciness, you should not take too old vegetables.

Important! You can avoid the wateriness of the salad by cutting the cucumber lengthwise and removing the seeds from it - they are not needed in further preparation.

Other required ingredients include garlic, soy sauce, rice vinegar and sesame oil. It is worth giving preference to proven high-quality products that do not contain a large number of additional impurities - salt, sugar and spices. It is better to salt, season and sweeten the finished Chinese salad immediately before serving.It must be remembered that the ingredients of the snack already contain a large amount of salt and sugar, so many recipes simply do not contain these components.

The most important detail of a dish is its freshness. Broken cucumbers are not prepared for future use. They must be served and eaten immediately after preparation. Otherwise, they will have time to marinate and lose their most important consumer qualities.

Traditional salad of crushed cucumbers

This is the simplest recipe for preparing a Chinese snack, which requires a minimum of ingredients. This method allows you to enjoy the bright taste without additional shades.

To prepare this salad you will need:

  • 4 cucumbers;
  • 3 cloves of garlic;
  • 1 tbsp. l. soy sauce;
  • 1 tbsp. l. sesame oil;
  • 1 tbsp. l. rice vinegar;
  • salt and sugar to taste;
  • a small bunch of parsley.

Vegetables are cut lengthwise, seeds are removed, then divided into several large pieces. They are placed together with chopped garlic. Remove the air from the bag and close it. After this, beat the cucumbers using a wooden rolling pin.

Important! The main thing is that the vegetables and garlic produce juice, which, when stirred, will become the aromatic base of the subsequent dish.

Next, sesame oil, rice vinegar and soy sauce are poured into the bag. Add a little salt or sugar to taste. All ingredients are mixed well in a bag and placed in a deep plate. Top the salad with finely chopped parsley and serve.

Broken cucumbers with sesame seeds

Sesame seeds not only decorate the finished snack, but also give it additional flavor notes. They pair perfectly with soy sauce and rice vinegar. This appetizer can be ideal with meat or fish dishes.

To prepare a salad of broken cucumbers use:

  • 500 g of main ingredient;
  • 5 cloves of garlic;
  • 10 ml rice vinegar;
  • 1 tbsp. l. sesame oil;
  • 10 ml soy sauce;
  • 2 tbsp. l. sesame seeds.

As in the previous recipe, the cucumbers are cut into fairly large pieces and beaten in a bag along with chopped garlic. As soon as the vegetables give juice, vinegar, soy sauce and sesame oil are poured into the bag. Place the finished Chinese snack on a plate, sprinkle it with sesame seeds and mix well.

Chinese smashed cucumbers with garlic and cilantro

Asian cuisine very actively uses various additives in its recipes to enhance the flavor of finished dishes. Garlic and cilantro put together are a real aromatic bomb that no gourmet can resist.

For this snack you will need:

  • 4-5 cucumbers;
  • 4 cloves of garlic;
  • a bunch of cilantro;
  • 1-2 tbsp. l. soy sauce;
  • 10 ml sesame oil;
  • 1 tbsp. l. rice vinegar.

Cucumbers are cut into small pieces, mixed with garlic and beaten with a wooden mallet or rolling pin. After this, chopped cilantro and soy sauce are added to them. Before serving, the dish is also seasoned with vinegar and sesame oil.

Chinese smashed cucumbers: recipe with cashews and soy sauce

Nuts help make a snack more filling and nutritious. This salad of broken vegetables can serve as a complete meal. To prepare one serving you will need:

  • 150 g cucumbers;
  • 30 g cashews;
  • 2 tbsp. l. soy sauce;
  • 2 cloves of garlic;
  • 2 tbsp. l. rice vinegar;
  • cilantro;
  • 1 tbsp. l. sesame oil;
  • ½ tsp. Sahara.

In this recipe, the dressing is prepared separately. To do this, mix all the ingredients in a bowl, except chopped cucumbers and nuts.Vegetables are cut into bars and beaten with the back of a knife. The nuts are placed whole in the dish. Beaten cucumbers are mixed with dressing, sprinkled with cashews and served.

Chinese salad of crushed cucumbers with honey and peanuts

The sweetish taste of such a snack will not leave any gourmet indifferent. Peanuts add richness to the dish. 1 tbsp. l. honey for 4 cucumbers in this recipe replaces sesame oil.

Other ingredients used include:

  • 100 g peanuts;
  • 20 ml soy sauce;
  • 2 tbsp. l. rice vinegar;
  • 4 cloves of garlic.

Cucumbers are cut and beaten in a plastic bag along with crushed garlic. Sauce, honey and vinegar are poured into them. A well-mixed salad of broken cucumbers is placed on a plate and sprinkled with chopped peanuts.

Recipe for smashed cucumber salad with meat and wine vinegar

The most satisfying option for preparing a Chinese snack is the method with the addition of meat. The most authentic approach to Asian cuisine is to add lean pork. However, if desired, it can be replaced with chicken breast, turkey or lean beef. The average ratio of meat to crushed cucumbers is 1:2. The ingredients for the recipe are the same as in the previous versions.

Important! Wine vinegar has a more balanced taste compared to rice vinegar, so its use adds traditional European notes to the recipe.

200 g of fruits are cut into pieces and beaten with the addition of garlic mass. Wine vinegar, soy sauce and sesame oil are poured into them. The meat is cut into bars and fried in a hot frying pan until a light crust appears. It is added to the prepared salad of broken cucumbers and served.

Chinese crushed cucumbers with lemon juice

Many Asian ingredients can be replaced with more traditional European additives. For beaten vegetables, lemon juice works well as a dressing. It perfectly performs the function of stimulating the taste buds and increasing appetite.

To prepare this dish in Chinese you will need:

  • 300 g of fresh fruits;
  • 1 tbsp. l. lemon juice;
  • 3 cloves of garlic;
  • 10 ml soy sauce;
  • 1 tbsp. l. sesame oil;
  • a small bunch of cilantro.

Vegetables are cut in half and the seeds are removed. The remaining pulp is cut into large pieces, placed in a bag along with garlic and beaten with a wooden mallet. Broken cucumbers are seasoned with lemon juice, sauce and oil, after which they are generously sprinkled with finely chopped cilantro.

Spicy cucumber salad

Fans of more savory snacks can diversify the finished product with additional components. Red pepper or fresh chili works best for crushed cucumbers. Depending on taste preferences, their quantity can be varied.

On average, to prepare 500 g of crushed cucumbers you will need:

  • 2 medium-sized chili peppers;
  • 4 cloves of garlic;
  • 2 tbsp. l. soy sauce;
  • 1 tbsp. l. sesame oil;
  • 1 tbsp. l. rice vinegar;
  • greens and sesame to taste.

First you need to prepare the dressing. To do this, all liquid components are mixed in a separate container with garlic mass, sesame seeds and finely chopped herbs. While the Chinese-style dressing for chopped cucumbers is infusing, you can prepare the vegetables themselves. The peppers are seeded and cut into small pieces. Cucumbers are cut into slices and beaten using the back of a knife. All ingredients are mixed in a salad bowl and served.

Lightly salted crushed cucumbers

In order for the products to become more saturated with aromas and spices, you need to keep them with garlic a little longer. With this method of cooking, the main component of Chinese-style broken vegetables is lost - their freshness. However, the taste becomes brighter and richer.

To prepare a serving of salad from 500 g of fresh cucumbers you will need:

  • 5 cloves of garlic;
  • a bunch of dill;
  • a bunch of cilantro;
  • 1 tbsp. l. salt;
  • 1 tbsp. l. Sahara;
  • 1 tbsp. l. sesame oil.

Vegetables are cut into small slices and processed using a wooden rolling pin. Broken cucumbers are placed in a bag along with garlic, herbs and other seasonings. To ensure complete readiness, the dish is kept for 2-3 hours and only then served.

Salad of broken cucumbers with tomatoes

A Chinese appetizer can be perfectly complemented by other vegetables. There is no need to beat the tomatoes for cooking - they themselves are quite juicy. Chopped vegetables will simply turn into porridge, so they should be added to the dish fresh.

For a salad of Chinese-style broken cucumbers with tomatoes, use:

  • 300 g of main ingredient;
  • 200 g fresh tomatoes;
  • 4 cloves of garlic;
  • 1 tbsp. l. soy sauce;
  • 10 ml sesame oil;
  • 10 ml rice vinegar;
  • greens to taste.

Cucumbers are cut into slices and beaten in a bag along with chopped garlic. After this, tomatoes and other ingredients are added to the beaten vegetables. Mix everything well and place in a deep plate. The finished salad is sprinkled with herbs and served.

What can you serve with Chinese smashed cucumbers?

The traditional Chinese dish of beaten vegetables is completely self-contained. It is served before the main meal to stimulate appetite.Therefore, in the photos of authentic restaurants you can rarely see a salad of broken cucumbers as a side dish or in combination with any other dish.

Important! If you complement the Chinese salad with meat or nuts, it can serve not only as a snack, but also as a complete nutritious lunch.

In other regions of the planet, crushed cucumbers can be used not only as an independent dish before the next meal. The appetizer is perfect for meat dishes made from pork, beef or poultry. Broken cucumbers also go great with grilled or oven-baked fish. Also, this dish is often used during large feasts as an additional salad or appetizer.

Conclusion

The recipe for Chinese smashed cucumbers is an excellent option for a delicious appetizer salad. Great variability in preparation allows you to choose the ideal flavor balance from various ingredients. Vegetables are great both as an independent dish and as an addition to more satisfying recipes.

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