We’ve had some unusually warm hot weather this week… It’s been in the 80s and 90s in the afternoons! I like each season as it comes, but I have to say that summer is probably my least favorite. I love spring, but when th hot sticky weather of summer arrives, it wears me out!
So, I’ve been dragging a bit this week due to the sudden summer weather… It’s hard to find the motivation to heat up the oven and do some baking! Instead, I’ve been making some simple (cold) dishes, and doing some grilling outside.
Last evening, I made some teriyaki turkey burgers (more about those in a few days…) and I wanted something quick, easy, and cool to go along side of them. I remembered this great cucumber salad from Savory Sweet Life that I made quite a few times last summer. I just love it, and I think it’s the perfect side salad on a hot day.
This time around, I had some snap peas in my fridge, so I decided to add them to the salad. I also chose to use some brown sugar instead of granulated sugar. I’m not sure that my salad is authentic in any way (thus Asian “inspired”)… But it uses some of my favorite Asian ingredients, and I was pleased with how it turned out. In fact, my husband even enjoyed it and had seconds… That’s a good sign!
Asian Inspired Cucumber Salad
(adapted from Savory Sweet Life)
- 2 cucumbers, cut into matchsticks
- 2 carrots, cut into matchsticks
- 4 ounces sugar snap peas, trimmed and cut into thin strips on a diagonal
- 2 tablespoons brown sugar
- 1/2 cup rice vinegar
- 1/2 teaspoon chili garlic paste
Use a mandolin (or just a chef’s knife) to slice the cucumbers and carrots into matchsticks. Slice the sugar snap peas and combine them with the cucumbers and carrots in a large bowl.
In a small microwave safe bowl, combine the brown sugar and vinegar. Microwave on high for 30 seconds, and then whisk to dissolve the brown sugar in the vinegar. Stir in the chili garlic paste.
Pour the vinegar mixture over the vegetables in the bowl and stir to toss the salad in the dressing. Cover and refrigerate for at least 30 minutes. Serve chilled.
That looks fabulous! I don’t own a mandolin…I’m scared of them!
Hi Jen,
How in the world did it get so hot there? Can you send some of it my way. I’m stuck inside not able to ride my bike for fear of freezing to death!
I love this salad, it’s a keeper for me. It can go in our lunches!
Laura
Now I want a mandolin even more! Looks yummy!
So fresh and clean for spring!
I would love to get a mandolin, but I think my husband will throw all my kitchen tools out the window if I do. I love making salads like this when the weather gets hot, yum! Beautiful pictures too!
This looks like it will be the next addition to my ‘salad’ file.
YUM!
I love salads without lettuce. This looks perfect!!
Delicious, easy, fresh…it’s perfect! Thank you!
Jen, this is gorgeous! I still have yet to learn how to work a mandolin. :S Maybe that will be my summer project… :)
Looks delicious Jen!
Oh my! I love how simple and summer-y this is! Great post, Jen! :)
Mmm – looks good! I would add a sprinkle of sesame seeds too I think!
Great pics Jen! This sounds like a wonderful side – a good one I’ll keep in mind for this summer!
Very fast and easy. I’ve made this quite a few times for snacks or to take to BBQs. With or without snow peas (instead of snap peas), with or without chilis (someone was allergic). I add toasted sesame seeds and tiny pinch of kosher salt. Always good.