Inspired. A quick refreshing cucumber salad inspired by a favorite restaurant and my Mom. A Bijouxs bit for a cool summer meal.
This quick cucumber pickle is Thai inspired by a cucumber salad served with my favorite fish cakes at Basil Thai Cooking, a family owned restaurant where we have been dining for almost 20 years and a quick little cucumber side my Mom used to make on hot LA summer days.
My mom’s quick cucumber salad is so basic you may not even think to give it a look; place sliced cucumbers in a bowl, sprinkle with a couple of tablespoons of apple cider vinegar, give a healthy dose of salt and pepper and fill with enough ice cold water to cover the cucumbers, pop in the refrigerator, and serve when the rest of the meal is completed. So quick, cool and refreshing, but Bijouxs added a little more to the mix.
Bijouxs simple Thai inspired version adds fresh ginger, jalapenos, green onion, basil, mint, fresh lime juice, and a touch of Thai fish sauce, most of the ingredients are pantry/kitchen basics. The technique is still the same, slice cucumbers (any way you like) and place in a medium bowl. Sprinkle the cucumbers with the lime juice and a dash of Thai fish sauce, salt and pepper, toss, and allow to rest while you prep the other ingredients. Add fresh ginger, jalapeno, and green onion. Toss and adjust the balance of ingredients by adding a little more or less of the ginger, onion, and jalapeno and by adding a touch of brown sugar or a little water, if needed. Cover and refrigerate for about 20 minutes. Just prior to serving garnish with fresh herbs such as basil, mint, and cilantro.
A large bag of juicy key limes, courtesy of Melissa’s Produce, has been helping us to create this quick little salad, as well as create the cool lime and mint infused water we have been drinking in the Bijouxs kitchen studio all summer long.
Quick Thai Cucumber Pickle, an inspired Bijouxs.
As always, enjoy. B
