Smacked Cucumbers

Ingredients

• 1 (13 ounce)  cucumbers

• salt

Version 1

• 2 teaspoons salted chilies, chopped
• 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
• 3 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2-3 pinches sugar
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• chili oil

Version 2

• 2 teaspoons garlic, minced
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 2 tablespoons peanut oil
• 1 teaspoon dried chili pepper flakes

Directions

1. 1

   Place the cucumber on a cutting board and whack hard, several times, with the flat of a cleaver blade, so the vegetable splinters and opens up with jagged cracks, then chop it into bite-size pieces.

2. 2

   Place in a bowl; sprinkle with 1/2 teaspoon salt and leave about 30 minutes.

3. 3

   When the time is up, drain off the water in the bowl.

4. 4

   To make Version 1, add the chopped salted chiles, garlic, vinegar, sugar and salt to taste; mix well and leave for a few minutes to let the flavors blend. Just before serving, add the sesame oil and chili oil to taste; toss and serve.

5. 5

   To make Version 2, add the garlic and vinegar to the cucumber with more salt to taste, mix well and set aside for a few minutes to allow the flavors to penetrate. Heat the oil in a wok over a high flame until smoking. Scatter the chili flakes over the cucumber, then sprinkle the hot oil over, which will sizzle; mix well and serve.