Asian Hot Sweet Pickle Salad Food

ASIAN PICKLED CABBAGE RESTAURANT APPETIZER

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, hand-rip the cabbage into large pieces (about 3" x 3" pieces)--they will shrink after pickling. Add in the cut carrots and ¼ cup salt. Use your hands to thoroughly and evenly distribute the salt with the vegetables. Top the vegetables with a heavy object (I used a baking dish with a large, heavy mortar and pestle on top, but you could use foil-wrapped bricks or any other heavy objects), and marinate for an hour in the refrigerator. This process removes excess liquid and makes the vegetables crunchy, but don't marinate for too long or the cabbage will be too salty.
• Next, add the water and sugar (here is where you would add the optional bay leaves and Sichuan peppercorns I mentioned) in a small pot. Bring to boil, and turn off the heat. Stir in the vinegar and ½ teaspoon salt. Let the liquid cool completely. It's a good time to taste the liquid with a clean spoon to make sure you like the levels of sweet and sour, and adjust accordingly. Please use a clean spoon every time you dip into the brine.
• Once the cabbage and carrots are marinated, wash them 2 to 3 times to get rid of the salt. Drain and squeeze out any extra liquid by hand or with a clean dish towel before putting the cabbage and carrots in a clean glass or ceramic container.
• Mix in the smashed (or chopped) garlic and whole (or chopped) fresh chili peppers. Pour the cooled vinegar/sugar brine over the vegetables and ensure the vegetables are completely submerged. Cover and store in the refrigerator for 24 hours before serving chilled or at room temperature. If you have any leftovers, leave them stored in the pickling liquid and use clean utensil each time.

SPICY ASIAN CUCUMBERS

Steps:

• Place cucumbers into a colander, sprinkle with salt, and let drain at least 30 minutes. Shake off excess liquid but don't rinse the cucumbers.
• Whisk soy sauce, sugar, garlic, rice vinegar, sesame oil, hot chili oil, and red pepper flakes in a salad bowl. Stir in cucumbers to coat with dressing. Chill 2 to 3 hours before serving.

QUICK PICKLED ASIAN SLAW

Steps:

• Toss the cabbage, cucumber and carrots together in a heatproof bowl, then set aside.
• Bring the vinegars, sugar and salt to a boil in a small saucepan. Pour the vinegar mixture over the cabbage mixture, tossing to make sure all the veggies are covered. Let sit for 15 minutes. Use the slaw to add flavor to your favorite Asian bowl or sandwich. Vegetables can be kept in their pickling liquid in the fridge for up to 2 weeks.

QUICK & SPICY ASIAN PICKLES

Steps:

• Whisk rice vinegar, sugar, soy sauce, fish sauce, and crushed red pepper in large bowl. DO AHEAD Can be made 1 day ahed. Cover and Chill. Slice cucumbers crosswise into 1/4-inch-thick rounds. Add cucumber slices to vinegar mixture; toss. Cover and chill ten minutes to 1 hour, tossing occassionally.

ASIAN PICKLES

Steps:

• In a medium bowl, place 4 to 6 Kirby cucumbers (about 1 pound) and 1 large carrot (all halved lengthwise and cut 1/2 inch thick on the diagonal). In a medium saucepan, combine 1 cup rice vinegar, 3/4 cup sugar, 3 tablespoons coarse salt, one 2-inch piece ginger (peeled and thinly sliced), 1/2 teaspoon red-pepper flakes, and 2 garlic cloves (peeled and smashed). Bring to a boil, stirring until sugar and salt dissolve. Pour over cucumbers and carrot.

PICKLED RADISH & CUCUMBER SALAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl mix together the rice vinegar, sugar, sesame oil and spring onion.
• Use a teaspoon to scrape out the cucumber's seeds, then slice into halfmoons. Mix into the dressing with the radishes and scatter with coriander. Serve.