Braised Cucumbers Recipes

SAUTEED CUCUMBERS

Steps:

• Peel cucumber, and cut into large chunks.
• In a skillet, melt butter over medium heat. Add cucumber and salt, and cook, tossing occasionally, until tender, about 5 minutes. Serve sprinkled with dill or parsley.

BRAISED CUCUMBERS

Steps:

• Pare, seed and cut cucumbers into 2 x 1/2 inch sticks.
• Cook cucumbers and broth over medium heat, stirring frequently until tender; about 12 minutes.
• Add dill; stir to combine and serve.

CHINESE SMASHED CUCUMBERS WITH SESAME OIL AND GARLIC

Steps:

• Rinse cucumbers and pat dry. Cut crosswise into pieces about 4 inches long. Cut each piece in half lengthwise.
• On a work surface, place a piece of cucumber (or several) cut side down. Lay the blade of a large knife flat on top the cucumber and smash down lightly with your other hand. The skin will begin to crack, the flesh will break down and the seeds will separate. Repeat until the whole piece is smashed. Break or slice diagonally into bite-size pieces, leaving the seeds behind.
• Place the cucumber pieces in a strainer and toss with a big pinch of salt and a big pinch of sugar. Place a plastic bag filled with ice on top of the cucumbers to serve as a weight and place the strainer over a bowl. Let drain 15 to 30 minutes on the counter, or in the refrigerator until ready to serve, up to 4 hours.
• Make the dressing: In a small bowl, combine salt, sugar and rice vinegar. Stir until salt and sugar are dissolved. Stir in sesame oil and soy sauce.
• When ready to serve, shake cucumbers well to drain off any remaining liquid and transfer to a serving bowl. Drizzle with grapeseed or olive oil and toss. Add half the dressing, half the garlic and the red pepper flakes to taste, and toss. Keep adding dressing until cucumbers are well coated but not drowned. Taste and add more pepper flakes and garlic if needed. Serve immediately, garnished with cilantro and sesame seeds.

BRAISED CUCUMBERS

Steps:

• Place cucumbers in a shallow baking dish and sprinkle kosher salt over the top; toss to coat and let rest, 30 minutes to 1 hour. Drain cucumbers and discard any accumulated liquid.
• Melt butter in a large skillet over medium-high heat. Cook and stir cucumbers in hot butter until cucumbers are heated through and color starts to change, 5 to 10 minutes. Transfer cucumbers to a serving dish and season with lemon juice, mint, and black pepper.