Sichuan Cucumber Salad

This salad is spicy, light, refreshing and packed full of flavor. Sliced cucumbers are tossed in a hot and spicy dressing. Serve as cold starter.

Ingredients

• 5 dried red chile peppers
• 5 teaspoons soy sauce
• 1 spring onion, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• 2 teaspoons hot chile oil
• 1 teaspoon soft dark brown sugar
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 0.5 teaspoon Chinese black vinegar
• 0.5 teaspoon toasted white sesame seeds
• 2 cucumbers - peeled, seeded, and cut into 2-inch strips

Steps

1. Heat a dry skillet over medium heat. Add red chile peppers; cook and stir until fragrant, about 5 minutes. Let cool and transfer to a spice grinder; pulse until coarsely ground.
2. Mix ground chile peppers, soy sauce, spring onion, sesame oil, hot chile oil, brown sugar, garlic, black vinegar, and sesame seeds together in a bowl to make dressing.
3. Place cucumbers on a serving plate. Pour dressing on top and toss well. Let sit before serving, about 3 minutes.