Easy Vegetarian Cucumber Salad Recipe

Vegetarian cucumber salad is a refreshing, easy-to-make dish perfect for hot summer days. Not only does it offer a fresh, delicious flavor, but this dish is also beneficial for health thanks to nutrient-rich ingredients from natural vegetables. Let’s learn how to prepare this standard vegetarian cucumber salad through the article below.

Health Benefits of Vegetarian Cucumber Salad

Bowl of fresh vegetarian cucumber salad

Cucumbers contain up to 95% water, helping to hydrate the body, cool down, and effectively detoxify. Particularly, vegetarian cucumber salad can help alleviate symptoms of internal heat, such as pimples or discomfort due to high temperatures.

Additionally, the water content in cucumbers acts as a natural cleanser, helping to eliminate toxins accumulated in the body and reducing the risk of kidney stones. The abundant vitamin C in cucumbers not only boosts the immune system but also helps beautify the skin from within.

Furthermore, the potassium found in cucumbers helps regulate blood pressure, prevent strokes, and effectively protect cardiovascular health. This is why vegetarian cucumber salad is loved and chosen by many.

Ingredients Needed

To make a delicious vegetarian cucumber salad, you need to prepare the following ingredients:

• Cucumbers: 2
• Firm Tofu: 150g
• Carrot: 1/2
• Chilies: 3
• Garlic: 3 cloves
• Lime: 1
• Roasted Peanuts: 1 tablespoon
• Fried Shallots: 1 tablespoon
• Fresh Herbs: a small amount
• Vegetarian Fish Sauce: 3 tablespoons
• Cooking Oil: 150ml
• Sugar: a small amount

Detailed Instructions for Making Vegetarian Cucumber Salad

Prepare the Ingredients

Wash the carrot thoroughly and shred it finely. For the cucumbers, cut off both ends, halve them lengthwise, remove the seeds, and slice diagonally into bite-sized pieces. Cut the tofu into pieces about half an inch thick.

Mince the garlic and one chili. Finely slice the remaining two chilies for garnish.

Fry the Tofu

Heat the oil in a pan. When the oil is hot, add the tofu and fry until golden brown on all sides, about 5 minutes. Then, remove the tofu, drain, and cut it into thick strips.

Make the Dressing

In a bowl, mix 3 tablespoons of vegetarian fish sauce with 2 teaspoons of sugar. Squeeze in the lime juice, add the minced garlic and chili, and stir well to create a flavorful dressing mixture.

Mix the Salad

Place the fried tofu in a large bowl with 2 tablespoons of the dressing and mix well. Add the cucumber, carrot, and the remaining dressing. Gently toss with your hands to ensure all ingredients are evenly coated with the seasoning.

Finally, sprinkle with fresh herbs, sliced chilies, 1 tablespoon of roasted peanuts, and 1 tablespoon of fried shallots. Mix gently one more time, and it’s ready.

Final Product and Enjoyment

Plated vegetarian cucumber salad ready to eat

With these simple steps, you have completed a delicious and appealing vegetarian cucumber salad. This dish is especially suitable for hot sunny days, helping to cool down the body effectively.

Tips for Choosing Fresh Cucumbers

To achieve the perfect vegetarian cucumber salad, selecting quality cucumbers is crucial. You should choose cucumbers that are bright green, straight, slender, and uniform in shape. Prioritize cucumbers with smooth skin, that feel heavy for their size, and are moderately sized to ensure crispness and flavor.

Avoid cucumbers with bruises, yellow spots, or those that are bloated in the middle, as these are often old, have many seeds, and are not tasty.

How to Clean Cucumbers Properly

To remove bitterness and impurities from cucumbers, you can use one of these two methods:

• Cut the cucumber lengthwise, sprinkle a little salt on the cut surfaces, and rub the two halves together until white foam appears, then rinse thoroughly.
• Cut off both ends of the cucumber, rub the cut ends against the cucumber in a circular motion several times until white foam appears, then rinse thoroughly.

Conclusion

Hopefully, with this detailed guide on how to make vegetarian cucumber salad, you will feel confident preparing this dish at home. Try it out and share your results with family and friends to enjoy this refreshing and nutritious vegetarian salad together!