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WW Recipe of the Day: Spicy Sesame Cucumber Salad
This simple cucumber salad pairs well with anything from the grill—from burgers, to chicken breast to fish. Smashing the cucumbers before chopping them into pieces does required a little extra effort, but honestly not that much. And it’s a lot more fun too!
Why even bother to smash the cucumbers? Why not just slice them?
Smashing your cucumbers before slicing allows them to absorb more of the flavors in the Sambal Oelek (or the chili garlic sauce), vinegar, sesame oil and garlic. The internal structure of the cuke is essentially softened and mangled, resulting in lots of jagged and rough edges, more natural cucumber juice being released and more surface area for soaking up additional flavors.
How Many Calories and WW Points in this Low Carb Spiced Cucumber Salad?
According to my calculations, each serving has 33 calories and:
1 *SmartPoints (Green plan)
1 *SmartPoints (Blue plan)
1 *SmartPoints (Purple plan)
1 *PointsPlus (Old plan)
To see your WW PersonalPoints for this recipe and track it in the WW app or site, Click here!
How to Make Spicy Sesame Cucumber Salad
Step 1: Gather and prepare all ingredients.
Step 2: Whisk the rice vinegar, sesame oil, Sambal oelek, salt and garlic in a medium mixing bowl.
Step 3: Place cutting board (affiliate link) on a solid, flat surface. Remove ends from one cucumber. Place flat edge of chef’s knife (affiliate link) over entire cucumber
and press down hard (using both hands and full bodyweight, if necessary, being careful to avoid the knife slipping)
until the cucumber breaks into 4 or 5 jagged lengthwise pieces.
Separate these pieces and crosscut them into 1-inch chunks. Repeat with remaining cucumbers.
Step 4: Combine the cucumber chunks with the dressing and toss until thoroughly coated.
Step 5: If not serving right away, cover and chill in the refrigerator.
Step 6: Before serving, sprinkle the toasted sesame seeds over the top.
Step 7: Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Recipe Notes
Either Sambal Oelek or Chili Garlic Sauce works well in this recipe. They are very similar, except for the addition of garlic in the chili garlic sauce. Both of these sauces are a bit more chunky than Sriracha and much less processed.
To toast your sesame seeds, add them to a small skillet and heat over medium heat until golden (stirring continuously to prevent burning), about 4 to 5 minutes.
Alternatively, you can place your sesame seeds in a small rimmed baking dish and heat in the toaster oven, or oven, until golden brown, stirring occasionally to keep them from burning.
Serving Suggestions
Makes a great addition to any barbecue or potluck table. Pairs well with your favorites from the grill—burgers, chicken breast, fish, etc.
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Spicy Sesame Cucumber Salad
Ingredients
- 1 tablespoon rice vinegar
- 2 teaspoons toasted sesame oil
- 2-3 teaspoons Sambal Oelek (or chili garlic sauce)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 large clove garlic, finely chopped
- 1 pound mini Persian cucumbers
- 1 teaspoon sesame seeds, toasted
Instructions
- Whisk the rice vinegar, sesame oil, Sambal oelek, salt and garlic in a medium mixing bowl.
- Place cutting board (affiliate link) on a solid, flat surface. Remove ends from one cucumber. Place flat edge of chef's knife over entire cucumber and press down hard (using both hands and full bodyweight, if necessary, being careful to avoid the knife slipping) until the cucumber breaks into 4 or 5 jagged lengthwise peices. Separate these piecess and crosscut them into 1-inch chunks. Repeat with remaining cucumbers.
- Combine the cucumber pieces with the dressing and toss until thoroughly coated.
- Sprinkle toasted sesame seeds over the top and serve.
- If not serving right away, cover and chill in the refrigerator.
- Before serving, sprinkle the toasted sesame seeds over the top.
- Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Recipe source: Weight Watchers
A note about WW Points
If you're following Weight Watchers, all the recipes here on Simple Nourished Living have been updated for the new WW program, with points displayed in the recipe card. The Check the WW Points link in the recipe card takes you to the Weight Watchers App where you can edit it using the WW recipe builder or add it to your day.
(Must be logged into WW account on a mobile device, such as smartphone or tablet).
