This one’s straight out of the “what’s in the garden” playbook — continental cucumbers, a punchy peanut-lime dressing, and whatever crunchy bits are on hand. Ready in ten minutes and works as a side to almost anything off the grill.

CUCUMBER SALAD WITH PEANUT SAUCE

Ingredients

  • 2–3 continental cucumbers (approx. 600g)
  • 40g peanut butter
  • 20ml soy sauce
  • 20ml rice vinegar
  • 30g honey
  • 1 clove garlic, minced (approx. 5g)
  • 40ml water
  • 5ml sesame oil
  • A dash lemon juice
  • A dash fish sauce (optional)
  • 30g peanuts, crushed, to garnish
  • Small handful coriander leaves, chopped
  • 2 spring onions, sliced
  • 1 long red chilli, sliced (to taste)
  • Toasted sesame seeds, optional, to serve

Method

  1. Chop the 600g cucumbers into bite-sized pieces and place in a large jar or bowl.
  2. In a small bowl, combine 40g peanut butter, 20ml soy sauce, 20ml rice vinegar, 30g honey, 5g minced garlic and 40ml water.
  3. Whisk until smooth.
  4. Whisk in 5ml sesame oil and a dash of lemon juice.
  5. Add a dash of fish sauce for extra depth, if using.
  6. Stir through sriracha to taste for heat, if using.
  7. Pour the sauce over the cucumber and toss to coat.
  8. Scatter with 30g crushed peanuts, the coriander, 2 sliced spring onions and the sliced chilli. Sprinkle with toasted sesame seeds if using.
  9. Serve immediately.

Notes

Serves 4 as a side. The sauce alone also works well on noodles, grilled chicken, or as a dipping sauce for spring rolls — worth keeping the ratio in mind if you want to make a batch just for that.