Video:Easy Thai Cucumber Salad

Transcript:Easy Thai Cucumber Salad

Hi, I'm Rachel Edelman for About.com Food. Today I'm going to show you how to make a Thai cucumber salad.

Thai Cucumber Salad Ingredients

For this recipe you will need:

• handful of fresh basil leaves and fresh coriander leaves
• 1 lime
• 1 shallot
• 1 small red chili pepper
• 2 cucumbers
• 2 green onions
• fish sauce
• shrimp paste or sauce
• soy or tamari sauce

Utensils Needed

You will also need:

• a grater
• a food chopper
• and a chef's knife

Prepare the Cucumbers

First wash and peel the cucumbers. Cut each cucumber in half and remove the seeds. Use the largest grater you have to grate the cucumber into a mixing bowl. If the grater seems too small and the cucumber in the bowl looks very watery, cut the cucumber by hand. Use your knife to slice the cucumber into 1 to 2 inch pieces. Then cut thin slices so you have small matchstick pieces. If the pieces still seem too thick, cut them in half again.

Chop Ingredients

Next peel a shallot. You can mince it by hand or with a food chopper. Add it to the cucumbers. Now wash and slice a green onion. Add it to the mixture. Then take a handful of basil leaves and with your hands, rip small pieces and add them to the bowl. With the basil, you can also add handful of chopped fresh coriander leaves.

Cut the Chili Pepper

To prepare the chili pepper, cut off the top, slice it in half and remove the seeds. This will keep the flavor of the chili but remove most of the hot and spicy components. Wear gloves or use a plastic liner to prevent the hot oils from touching your fingers. Mince the pepper and add it to the mix.

Mix Well

Toss all of the ingredients in the bowl so they are well combined.

Prepare the Dressing

In a separate bowl, prepare the dressing. Pour 2 tablespoons of fish sauce. Roll and cut a lime, then squeeze half of the lime into the bowl. Next add a half a teaspoon of shrimp paste and 1 tablespoon of soy sauce. Mix well and pour over the salad.

Gently toss the salad. Serve immediately and enjoy!

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