Chinese Smashed Cucumber Salad

On a hot summer day, it’s like a spicy-savory equivalent of slices of cold, juicy watermelon: hydrating for the soul, quenching thirst and hunger in one go. The recipe is from Delish.com. Serves 4.

Ingredients:
For the Chili Oil:
½ cup canola oil
1″ piece ginger, minced
3 cloves garlic, minced
3 Tbsp ground chilis
2 tsp ground Szechuan peppercorns
1 Tbsp white sesame seeds
½ tsp MSG
¼ tsp Kosher salt

For the cucumbers:
6 Persian cucumbers
3 cloves garlic, grated
2 Tbsp chili oil
1 Tbsp toasted sesame oil
½ tsp MSG
Kosher salt

Procedure:

1. In a small pot, heat oil until starting to smoke, then remove from heat.
2. Meanwhile, in a medium heatproof bowl or jar, whisk to combine all other ingredients. Slowly pour hot oil over the spices, letting it sizzle through evenly, streaming gradually and carefully to control the overflow. Whisk to incorporate fully and let cool completely.
3. Cut each cucumber into three pieces, then use the flat size of your knife to smash each piece into two craggy halves.
4. In a large bowl, toss smashed cucumbers with chili oil, sesame oil, and MSG until evenly combined, then season with salt to taste.