Pacific Rim Cucumber Salad Recipes

Steps:

• Heat heavy small skillet over medium-low heat. Add sesame seeds and stir until toasted and golden, about 3 minutes. Set aside.
• Combine lime juice and next 7 ingredients in processor; process until well blended. With processor running, add vegetable oil in slow stream; process until slightly thickened. Season dressing to taste with salt and pepper.
• Place lettuce in large bowl. Add dressing and 3/4 cup Parmesan; toss to combine. Divide salad among 6 plates; sprinkle with remaining Parmesan and toasted sesame seeds.
• Available at Asian markets and in the produce section of some supermarkets.
• ** Fish sauce and chili-garlic sauce are available at Asian markets and in the Asian foods section of many supermarkets.

Steps:

• Chill lettuce leaves and salad plates for 15 minutes.
• Place olives, parsley, cucumbers, radishes ,chilles, hearts of palm, salt, pepper in a bowl and toss the salad.
• In a small bowl combine lemon yogurt, lemon zest, lime juice and cayenne pepper. Whisk dressing until smooth. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Fold dressing into salad, cover with plastic and chill for 15 minutes.
• Assemble the salad.
• Place Red-Leaf lettuce leaves on chilled salad plates and add salad.
• Garnish salads with fresh chopped parsley and sliced Kamata olive.

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.