Asian Style Salad—Smashed Cucumber and Tomatoes

This asian style is refreshing, bright, and jammed packed with flavor! Its tangy, spicy, and is the perfect umami bite. I love serving this side salad with some bbq chicken or steak. Try this one out, you’ll love it !

What you’ll need:

Servings- 1-2

• 1 large cucumber

• 2 large tomatoes

• 1 garlic clove

• 1 thai chili pepper (or add more if you like spice)

• 1/8 tsp dried tiny shrimp

• 1/8 tsp sugar or sweetener

• 1 tsp fish sauce

• 1/2 tsp shrimp paste (optional)

• 1 lime

Instructions:

1. Prep vegetables

   -Rinse and pat dry

   -Peel cucumber if desired

2. Cut cucumber long ways into 4 slices

   -Usuing the back of your knife or a pestle, gently smash down cucumbers until cucumber slightly breaks down . Cut into bite sized pieces. Set aside.

3. Slice tomato into wedges. Set aside.

4. Using a mortar, add dry ingredients; garlic, chili pepper, dried shrimp, and sugar. Using pestle, smash down ingredients until dried shrimp completely breaks down and contents turn into a paste.

5. Add in wet ingredients to contents in mortar; fish sauce, shrimp paste (optional), and lime juice. (start off with half of lime and taste to adjust). Gently combine .

6. Place cucumbers and tomatoes to a mixing bowl and pour in sauce. Mix well.

7. Transfer dressed vegetables to a serving dish and enjoy !