Easy Thai Cucumber Salad Recipe

This cucumber salad recipe is easy to make and brimming with the quintessential tastes of Thai cooking. And it takes only 10 minutes to make! Fresh cucumber is combined with red chillies (or mild red bell pepper), green onion and basil, then tossed in a tangy Thai dressing. Serve this unique and healthy salad as a side dish at dinner, or as a light and tasty lunch or snack. Also a great salad recipe for a party, BBQ, picnic, or potluck party, since it can be made as you're going out the door!

• SERVES 4-6
• 1 English cucumber OR 2 field cucumbers (if using organic, leave the skin on; otherwise, wash well or peel it off)
• 1 shallot, minced (OR substitute 1/4 cup minced purple onion)
• 2 green (spring) onions, finely sliced
• 1 fresh red chili, de-seeded and minced fine, OR 1/4 cup diced red bell pepper
• 1/2 cup fresh coriander/cilantro, roughly chopped
• 1/4 cup ground or roughly chopped dry roasted peanuts
• DRESSING:
• 2 Tbsp. fish sauce OR vegetarian fish sauce (available by the bottle at Asian food stores)
• juice of 1/2 lime
• 1/2 tsp. shrimp paste (available by the jar at Asian stores)
• 1 Tbsp. soy sauce
• 1/4 to 1/2 tsp. cayenne pepper (to taste)
• 1/2 tsp. sugar

1. Cut the cucumber in half lengthwise, then repeat with each half until you have a number of long strips. Now slice the other way to dice the cucumber. Place in a salad bowl.
2. Add the shallot, green onion, chili/red pepper, and coriander to the cucumber (keep back a little extra coriander to garnish the salad).
3. Combine the dressing ingredients together in a cup, stirring to dissolve the shrimp paste. Tip: that the dressing will taste pungent now, but will be perfect once it is on the salad.
4. Pour the dressing over the salad and toss well.
5. To serve, scoop or slide salad onto a serving platter or place in a serving bowl. Top with the ground/chopped peanuts, plus extra coriander. If desired, garnish with a slice of lime. Serve immediately, or cover and refrigerate for up to 3 hours.*

Tips:

• If serving this salad as the main course, add 1 cup cooked baby shrimp as a protein source.
• Note that the longer this salad sits, the more liquid will gather at the bottom of the bowl or plate (some of this is juice from the cucumber - the rest is the dressing). If you want to make it ahead of time, just be sure to re-toss the salad before serving. This salad is best eaten within 3-4 hours. ENJOY!

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