Spicy Cucumbers With Mint, Scallions and Crushed Peanuts

Spicy Cucumbers With Mint, Scallions and Crushed Peanuts 

This fine accompaniment to any number of dishes is an (admittedly inauthentic) take on a Southeast Asian favorite, moderately spicy in Vietnam and far more fiery in Thailand. Choose chiles accordingly to match your preference: Thai chiles pack a lot of heat; serrano chiles are strong, but less so; red Fresno chiles have sweet undertones and are the mildest. Also, try to get the best cucumbers you can, with thin skins. The better the cucumber, the better the salad. 

Yield: 4 to 6 servings

3 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice 

1 tablespoon palm sugar or dark brown sugar

2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil

2 teaspoons fish sauce

2 small Thai chiles (not bird’s-eye), very thinly sliced, or substitute 1 serrano chile

1 Fresno chile, thinly sliced crosswise

1 pound cucumber, preferably Persian, sliced ¼ inch thick

3 or 4 scallions, both white and green parts, thinly sliced on a long bias

Salt

¼ cup fresh mint leaves, some whole, some torn

¼ cup small basil leaves (preferably Thai or cinnamon basil)

2 tablespoons roughly chopped cilantro

⅓ cup salted peanuts, crushed using a rolling pin or mortar

Make the dressing: Put lime juice and sugar in a small bowl. Stir to combine, allowing sugar to dissolve. Stir in sesame oil and fish sauce. Add the Thai and Fresno chiles. Set aside.

Put cucumbers and scallions in a serving bowl. Sprinkle very lightly with salt and toss. Add the dressing and toss well to coat. Refrigerate to chill, about 30 minutes.

Top with mint, basil and cilantro. Sprinkle with crushed peanuts.

TIP: Delicious fresh salad. Don’t skimp on the herbs and used a Fresno chili which was perfect for my palate and my guests. I used have in the dressing and half sliced thinly with the cucumbers. The herbs are essential for the salad. I added a splash of rice wine vinegar to the dressing because it needed a bit more acid for me. Also added some toasted sesame seeds to the salad because - well I just liked the look of them. My guests loved the salad. This is a keeper.