Japanese Sesame Cucumber Salad

My favorite thing about Japanese food is how little is actually done to it. It might be cut and plated fancily but with hardly any cooking or ingredients they manage to fit in a ton of flavor.

These cucumbers have hardly any ingredients—sesame oil, vinegar, and seasoning—,but they taste better than any cucumbers I’ve ever had. It doesn’t hurt that it’s the Summer and any form of cooking sounds off-putting. All you need to make this refreshing side dish is a sharp knife and a bowl.

Japanese Sesame Cucumber Salad

Ingredients(Makes 4 servings):

• 2 cucumbers
• 1 1/2 Tablespoons sesame oil
• 2 teaspoons rice vinegar
• 2 Tablespoons sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 2 Tablespoons sesame seeds

Method:

1. With a mandolin or sharp knife, slice the cucumbers into circles about 2mm thick.
2. Combine the cucumbers with the rest of the ingredients in a large bowl and toss together until completely incorporated and the sugar has dissolved.
3. Serve immediately at room temperature.