Ma La Suan Huang Gua Hot And Sour Cucumber Recipes

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.

MA LA SUAN HUANG GUA (HOT AND SOUR CUCUMBER)

Steps:

• Wash cucumber, cut in half lengthwise, slice 1/4-inch thick on the diagonal.
• Place sichuan peppercorns in heat-proof bowl. Thinly slice dried chilies.
• Heat empty wok over highest eat. Add 1 T oil and swirl. Add cucumbers and stir-fry. Add chilies, vinegar, salt, soy sauce, and chili flakes, tossing after each addition. Transfer to serving dish.
• Reheat the same wok, add 2nd T oil and heat. Turn off heat, pour oil over sichuan peppercorns to make flavored oil. Pour oil and peppercorns over cucumbers.
• Serve as part of a Chinese meal: rice, soup, and a balanced variety of dishes--one per person.

SUAN LA BAI CAI (HOT AND SOUR CABBAGE)

Steps:

• Separate the cabbage leaves and cut them lengthwise. In a small bowl, combine the vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and salt, then set aside.
• Heat up the vegetable oil in a wok or heavy skillet over high heat until it is very hot. Add the chilies, ginger, and szechuan peppercorns and stir-fry for 10 seconds. Add the bell pepper and stir-fry for 30 seconds.
• Add the cabbage and stir-fry for two minutes, or until all the leaves are wilted. Pour the vinegar mixture into the wok and let simmer for 1 minute, then serve.