Sesame Cucumber and Avocado Salad

Amarante ↓

Fri, Jul 01 2022, 3:12 pm

This was a really delightful and refreshing salad.

Sesame Cucumber and Avocado Salad
By Hetty McKinnon

* YIELD 4 servings
* TIME 10 minutes

Crispy cucumber and creamy avocado perform a delicate dance with earthy notes of sesame in this most simple of salads. Thin-skinned varieties such as Persian or English cucumbers work best, as they are almost seedless with a robust flesh that stays crisp. But don’t worry if you only have access to seedy cucumbers: Peel them if their skins are thick, then cut them in half lengthwise and scrape out the seeds before slicing. No-cook and ready in a matter of minutes, this elegant salad can be dressed up according to your mood. It is a satisfying meal on its own, but it can also be served alongside cold soba noodles, or with brown rice and a fried or jammy egg on top.

INGREDIENTS

FOR THE SESAME DRESSING:

* 2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
* 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
* 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
* 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
* 1 ½ teaspoons soy sauce or tamari
* ½ teaspoon red-pepper flakes
*
FOR THE SALAD:

* 2 ripe avocados
* 1 pound cucumbers (such as Persian or English), trimmed and thinly sliced
* 2 green, red or purple scallions, trimmed and thinly sliced
* Kosher salt (such as Diamond Crystal) and black pepper
* Toasted sesame seeds, for topping

PREPARATION

1. Make the dressing: Place the sesame oil, rice vinegar, sesame seeds, sugar, soy sauce and red-pepper flakes into a small bowl. Add 1 tablespoon of water and whisk until emulsified. Taste, and adjust seasonings. (Dressing should taste acidic, a little sweet and salty.)

2. When you’re ready to eat, prepare the salad: Halve the avocados and discard the pits. Using a small paring knife, carefully score the avocado flesh into 1/2-inch cubes, avoiding cutting through the skin. Use a large spoon to scoop out the avocado flesh (in one spoonful, if possible), as close to the skin as possible. Transfer avocado cubes to a large bowl and add the dressing; toss gently.

3. Add the cucumbers and scallions and toss everything together. Season with salt and black pepper, top with more sesame seeds, and serve immediately.

↑ Amarante

Fri, Jul 01 2022, 3:30 pm

Java wrote:

Sounds yum!!
Kinda getting sushi salad vibes, I bet it would be really good with kani and rice

Yes - definitely is that kind of salad - I posted a recipe for an Asian Chicken recipe which I served with this salad.

One of my favorite restaurants does an Avocado Salad with a sesame/Asian type of dressing but they use lettuce instead of cucumbers but the cucumber salad is a standard sushi side - some of the sushi restaurants I have gone to serve a small bowl along with the bowl of miso soup as a complimentary type of starter.

If you read the author's notes, they do add that you can add brown rice of soba noodles and probably some protein.

Very refreshing