Chinese Crabmeat And Cucumber Salad Recipes

CHINESE CUCUMBER SALAD

Steps:

• First prepare the garlic. When you've minced all of the garlic, set aside the equivalent of 1 clove.
• Mix the oil and the rest of the garlic together, and set over medium-heat in a saucepan. Cook lightly for 2-3 minutes. Some foam will appear as the water in the garlic escapes. Do not let the garlic brown! This process takes about 2 minutes. Remove from the heat and let cool.
• Chop the cucumbers into quarters lengthwise and then into ½-inch chunks. Transfer to a bowl. Add the garlic oil, salt, sugar, pinch of MSG if using, sesame oil, and rice vinegar. Finally, add the reserved minced raw garlic. Stir thoroughly to coat everything.
• For the best results, let sit for at least 20 minutes in the refrigerator to let the flavors meld.

ASIAN CRAB AND CUKE SALAD

Steps:

• Place cucumber slices in a bowl and season with salt and pepper. Toss in imitation crabmeat. Whisk vinegar and soy sauce together in a separate bowl. Pour over the cucumber and crab mixture and toss to coat.

CHINESE CRABMEAT AND CUCUMBER SALAD

Steps:

• Pick over the crabmeat and discard all bits of shell and cartilage. Peel the cucumbers and cut them lengthwise in two. With a small spoon, scrape the seeds out of each half, leaving hollow, boat-like shells. Shred the cucumbers, not too fine, with a cleaver or large, sharp knife. In a small glass or porcelain bowl, combine the vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, pepper and sesame-seed oil, and mix well. Add the cucumbers and crabmeat; toss to coat thoroughly with the dressing and chill slightly - no more than an hour - before serving.

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.

CUCUMBER CRAB SALAD

Steps:

• Slice and dry the cucumbers well(remember to slice thin), also drain the crab.
• Heat a small skillet and brush with oil. Add the sesame seeds and toast them, stirring constantly until lightly browned, then grind with a morter and pestle.
• Lightly toss all ingredients together in a bowl and serve.

SUNOMONO (JAPANESE CUCUMBER AND SEAFOOD SALAD)

Steps:

• Lay cucumber slices onto a large plate and sprinkle with salt on both sides. Set aside until water is drawn from the cucumber, about 15 minutes. Brush salt from cucumbers and press with paper towel to remove excess moisture.
• Combine cucumber slices, crab sticks, rice vinegar, and soy sauce in a glass dish bowl; toss to coat. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 1 hour (or up to 24 hours).
• Divide cucumber salad onto 4 plates; sprinkle each portion with sesame seeds.