Cucumber Carrot Salad Big Crunch (Printable version)
Crisp cucumbers and carrots in tangy sesame dressing for a refreshing side dish ready in 15 minutes.
# What You'll Need:
→ Vegetables
01 - 2 large cucumbers, sliced or julienned
02 - 3 medium carrots, peeled and julienned
03 - 4 radishes, thinly sliced
04 - 2 scallions, thinly sliced
→ Dressing
05 - 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
06 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
07 - 1 tablespoon soy sauce
08 - 1 teaspoon honey or maple syrup
09 - 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger
10 - 1 garlic clove, minced
→ Garnish
11 - 2 tablespoons roasted peanuts or cashews, roughly chopped
12 - 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
13 - Fresh cilantro or mint leaves
# Directions:
01 - Combine cucumbers, carrots, radishes, and scallions in a large mixing bowl
02 - Whisk together rice vinegar, sesame oil, soy sauce, honey, ginger, and garlic until fully incorporated
03 - Pour dressing over vegetables and toss thoroughly to ensure even coating
04 - Let salad sit for 5 minutes to allow flavors to meld
05 - Sprinkle with chopped nuts, sesame seeds, and herbs before serving immediately
# Expert advice:
01 -
- The crunch from julienned vegetables is genuinely satisfying and addictive
- You can prepare everything in under fifteen minutes with basic tools
02 -
- The vegetables will release water as they sit, so serve within an hour of dressing for maximum crunch
- Julienning by hand takes practice but a good vegetable peeler creates quick, uniform ribbons
03 -
- A mandoline slicer creates restaurant-perfect julienne strips in seconds and is worth the investment
- Toast your sesame seeds in a dry pan for two minutes to deepen their flavor dramatically