One of the things that makes Korean food such a wonderful dining experience is the variety and flavors of all the various banchan, or side dishes, that accompany every meal. Whether it be as simple as some seasoned bean sprouts or some long fermented veggies, you typically find yourself craving more and more of these side dishes that complement the main meal. Today's recipe, Spicy Cucumber Salad (Oi Muchim), is very similar to Cucumber Kimchi, but can be prepared and enjoyed right away with much less effort. It really is as simple as a few ingredients and a few minutes time so....Let's Get Cooking!
The first step to making this delicious side dish is simply to slice an English cucumber into thin slices. English cucumbers have minimal seeds and water retained within them, and the outer peel is actually enjoyable to eat as compared to regular cucumbers so they are the best choice for this quick "pickle" recipe. Persian cucumbers will also work but you will obviously need to prepare more than one. Once your cucumber is sliced, season it with salt and place it in a colander to drain any excess water. The salt will help pull out the water within the cucumber itself so you end up with a nice crispy bite instead of a mushy mess. Let the salted slices drain for 10 to 15 minutes, tossing every few minutes.
Once the cucumber slices have had some time to drain, gently press out any remaining water and return them to a bowl. Add the remaining ingredients and gently toss the slices so they are fully covered. Taste to see if you want any additional salt or pepper, but I think they are great as is with the base seasoning ingredients.
This Spicy Cucumber Salad can be enjoyed right away, but I have found it's best when covered and refrigerated overnight. Those seasonings will draw out additional liquids from the slices, which actually help carry the flavors throughout each slice itself. I don't typically drain these liquids as I end up devouring the entire batch within a day or so, but it will keep crispy a little longer if you keep the slices drier. Either way, this super simple side dish will pair with any grilled meat or entree and is a refreshing spicy bite with any meal so give it a try and let me know what you think next time you have an extra English cucumber on hand...Just Keep Cooking!
SPICY CUCUMBER SALAD
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