Viral Cucumber Salad – 15 Days of Easy Healthy Recipes
Day 2 – Viral Cucumber Salad
Welcome to Day 2 of my 15 day Easy Healthy Recipe Series! Today, we have a unique and delicious dish that will completely change the way you view cucumbers – the Viral Cucumber Salad! This dish is not only visually stunning but also bursting with sweet, savoury, and spicy flavours. Trust me when I say, you might end up eating the whole thing for dinner, just like I did! ??
Before we dive into the recipe, let’s talk about cucumbers and their health benefits!
Cucumbers are primarily composed of water, making them incredibly hydrating and perfect for hot summer days. But that’s not all; cucumbers are rich in essential nutrients such as Vitamin K, Vitamin C, potassium, and manganese. They also contain antioxidants like beta-carotene and flavonoids, which contribute to their anti-inflammatory properties. Moreover, the presence of cucurbitacins in cucumbers may offer potential anticancer benefits. Not that you need anyone to twist your arm to eat cucumbers, but these health benefits certainly make them look even more attractive!
Health Benefits of Cucumbers
- Hydration: Cucumbers are composed of about 95% water, making them an excellent hydrating food, especially during hot weather
- Low in Calories: Cucumbers are low in calories, making them a great option for weight management and calorie-conscious diets
- Antioxidants: Contains compounds that fight free radicals
- Anti-Inflammatory: Helps reduce inflammation in the body
- Digestive Health: Cucumbers are a good source of fiber, which promotes healthy digestion and can help prevent constipation
- Skin Benefits: Promotes healthy skin and reduces wrinkles
- Blood Sugar and Heart Health: Aids in blood sugar regulation and supports heart health
@eatingwithkirby DAY 2 of 15 – HEALTHY RECIPES This Accordian Cucumber Salad was literally so delicious, I ate the entire thing for dinner as my entree 🤣🥒 Who would’ve thought cucumbers can be so delicious when cut like this?! 🌟 Follow @eatingwithkirby and join my channel (in bio) to get the recipe on all 15 DAYS of my Easy Healthy Recipes 🌟 ✨ RECIPE: • 5 mini cucumbers • 2 tbsp salt (for getting the cucumbers to sweat out liquid) • 1 tsp minced garlic • 1 tsp chili flakes • 1 tsp chili oil (or more if you like it hot 🔥) • 1 tbsp soy sauce • 3 tsp sugar • sprinkle of sesame seeds • 2 tbsp of hot oil (optional) Wash cucumbers and put two chopsticks on either side of one cucumber. Make thin vertical cuts until it hits the chopstick, ensuring it does not cut completely through. Flip the cucumber over, and make thin diagonal cuts along the other side of the cucumber. Once all cucumbers are cut, rub salt onto it and wait for 10 minutes. Cucumbers will sweat out excess water and rinse all cucumbers under tap water to remove the salt. Dry and put cucumbers into a bowl. In a small sauce bowl combine garlic, chili flakes, chili oil, soy sauce, sugar, and sesame seeds and mix well. Spread sauce onto cucumbers evenly. Heat up the oil in a small sauce pan (test with a wooden chopstick – if the chopstick releases tiny bubbles in the oil, it’s ready). Pour on top of the sauce and cucumbers. Mix well and enjoy! 💕 #foodhack #accordiancucumbers #cucumbersalad #healthyrecipe #15daysofhealthyrecipes #lowcarb #tiktoktrend
Check out my Day 1 of 15 Days of Easy Healthy Recipe!
Want more easy healthy recipes like this? Here are some of my go-to recipes that I’m sure you’ll love!
- Viral Sushi Bomb Spring Rolls (Kid Friendly)
- Delicious Mochi Brownie Recipe (super easy)
- Mango Pomelo Sago Pudding (perfect for summer)
Viral Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
- 5 mini cucumbers
- 2 tbsp salt for getting the cucumbers to sweat out the liquid
- 1 tsp minced garlic
- 1 tsp chili flakes
- 1 tbsp soy sauce
- 3 tsp sugar
- 1 sprinkle sesame seeds
- 2 tbsp hot oil optional
Instructions
- Start by washing the mini cucumbers thoroughly. To achieve that visually stunning accordian effect, place two chopsticks on either side of one cucumber. Carefully make thin vertical cuts along the cucumber until the knife hits the chopsticks, ensuring you don't cut all the way through. Then, flip the cucumber over and make thin diagonal cuts along the other side. Repeat this process for all the cucumbers.
- Once all the cucumbers are beautifully cut, it's time to enhance their flavor. Rub salt onto each cucumber and let them rest for about 10 minutes. This step helps the cucumbers sweat out excess water, making them even more refreshing.
- After 10 minutes, rinse all the cucumbers under tap water to remove the salt. Pat them dry and arrange them neatly in a serving bowl.
- In a separate small sauce bowl, combine minced garlic, chili flakes, chili oil, soy sauce, sugar, and sesame seeds. Mix all the ingredients well to create a delectable sauce.
- Now, it's time to dress up the cucumbers! Pour the sauce evenly over the cucumbers, ensuring that each piece gets coated with this flavour-packed goodness.
- For those who love an extra kick of heat, you can prepare some hot oil by heating it up in a small saucepan. Test if the oil is hot enough by dipping a wooden chopstick - if it releases tiny bubbles, you're good to go! Carefully pour the hot oil over the sauce and cucumbers, infusing the dish with an irresistible sizzle.
- Finally, give the salad a gentle mix to ensure all the flavours are well-distributed! Enjoy!
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And there you have it, the Accordian Cucumber Salad – a dish that’s visually appealing, deliciously flavourful, and packed with the hydrating goodness of cucumbers. This recipe is perfect as a refreshing appetizer or as a light and healthy entree. The unique cutting technique allows the flavours to seep into the cucumber, making each bite incredibly satisfying.
Remember, this is just the beginning of our 15-days of Easy Healthy Recipes, so make sure to follow @eatingwithkirby and join my newsletter (right side bar) to get all the recipes in my series.
Happy cooking! ?
