Spicy Korean Red Pepper Cucumbers Food

SPICY MARINATED CUCUMBERS (OEE MUCHIM)

Steps:

• Brine cucumbers: Use a mandoline or a sharp knife to cut the cucumbers into ⅓-inch rounds. Place in a colander fitted over a bowl and add salt; mix well to ensure the cucumbers are evenly salted. Let rest at room temperature to drain, 20 minutes. While they drain, prepare the marinade (Step 2).
• Marinade: In a large bowl, combine the gochugaru, mirin, rice vinegar, sugar, and fish sauce. Smash and peel the garlic, then finely chop. Use the flat part of your knife to press down on the garlic to further break it down, then continue to mince. Add the garlic to the marinade.
• Marinate cucumbers: Rinse all the salt off the cucumbers with cold water. Whisk the marinade, then add the cucumbers; use a large spoon to toss, making sure the cucumbers are evenly coated with marinade. Cover and refrigerate for 1 hour.
• Cucumbers will have released more liquid, which helps the marinating process. At this point, they're ready to eat; however, refrigerating overnight will round out the flavors. Place the cucumbers, along with some marinade, in a lidded container and store in the fridge overnight; serve cold. (The cucumbers can be stored in the refrigerator for 2-3 days, or for as long as the cucumbers remain firm and crunchy.)

SPICY KOREAN RED PEPPER CUCUMBERS

Steps:

• Heat the vegetable oil in a small saucepan over medium heat. Stir in the sesame seeds, and cook until they turn golden brown and begin to pop, about 3 minutes. Remove from heat and place into a large bowl.
• Whisk the kochujang, vinegar, sesame oil, and green onion into the toasted sesame seeds. Stir in the sliced cucumber until well coated with the dressing. Serve either chilled or at room temperature.

SPICY KOREAN CUCUMBER SALAD (OI MUCHIM)

Steps:

• Add the cucumber rounds in a large bowl and add the sea salt and 1 Tablespoon of rice wine vinegar. Mix it together and let it marinate for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, add all the ingredients for the dressing in a small bowl and set it aside.
• After 30 minutes, drain out the excess liquid from the marinated cucumbers and rinse them under water twice. Taste a cucumber to see if it's too salty and give it another rinse if needed.
• Add the dressing to the pickled cucumbers and serve immediately.

OI MUCHIM (SPICY CUCUMBER SALAD)

Steps:

• Thinly slice the cucumber (1/8 to 1/4-inch thick). Toss gently with salt and set aside for about 15 minutes.
• Drain excess liquid. Avoid squeezing them because they will bruise. Mix well with all of the remaining ingredients. Taste a little and adjust the seasonings if necessary.

SIMPLE SPICY KOREAN HOT RED PEPPER PASTE DIP FOR CUCUMBERS

Steps:

• Combine red pepper paste, sesame oil and sesame seeds.
• Enjoy with fresh cucumbers or other vegetables.

NOODLES WITH SPICY CUCUMBERS

Steps:

• Toss cucumbers with 1/2 teaspoon salt, and let sit 30 minutes. Transfer half the cucumbers to a clean dish towel. Fold the edges of the towel around cucumbers, and wring to remove excess liquid from cucumbers. Transfer to a large bowl. Wring out remaining cucumbers, and add to bowl.
• Add red-pepper powder, sugar, scallions, garlic, 2 tablespoons sesame oil, and the vinegar. Massage seasonings into cucumbers; let sit 10 minutes.
• Meanwhile, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil, and cook pasta until slightly beyond al dente (it should be very tender). Drain, and add to cucumbers. Toss to combine, then add remaining 3 tablespoons sesame oil and the soy sauce. Season with salt and red-pepper powder. Serve at room temperature.

OIJI MUCHIM (SPICY SEASONED CUCUMBER PICKLES)

Steps:

• Thinly slice the cucumber pickles.
• Soak the pickle slices in water until not too salty to eat as is, about 10 minutes depending on your pickles.
• Drain and tightly squeeze the pickles between your palms to remove as much liquid as possible. You may have to squeeze them several times.
• Add the remaining ingredients, except the scallion and sesame seeds, and mix everything very well until the pickles are evenly coated with gochugaru. Finish with tossing in the scallion and sesame seeds.

SPICY KOREAN CUCUMBER SALAD

Steps:

• Wash and slice cucumber into 1/4 - 1/8" pieces. Discard ends.
• Spread cucumber slices onto cutting board. Sprinkle with salt and let sit for at least 15 minutes. You should see water start to form on them.
• Meanwhile, mix all other ingredients well in a 1.5 Quart mixing bowl. (Use 1/2 cup Rice Vinegar for small to medium size cucumber, 3/4 for larger one).
• Press cucumber slices with paper towel or cheesecloth to remove water.
• Put cucumbers in bowl and stir so they become coated.
• Let marinate at least 1 hour before serving. Cucumbers may start to become a bit limp, but do not let them get soggy due to the vinegar.
• To store, place cucumbers in a plastic container with only a little liquid, and leave in the refrigerator.
• This recipe serves about 4 for banchan (side dish). Cooking time is marinating time. Add or subtract ingredients to taste. Try green onion or more garlic.

OI MUCHIM

Steps:

• Toss the cucumber with the red pepper flakes, sugar and salt in a medium bowl until well combined. Cover with plastic wrap and let "cure" at room temperature, tossing halfway through, until the cucumber has softened and released some liquid, about 30 minutes. Transfer to a colander and drain well (do not rinse).
• Whisk together the rice wine vinegar, sesame oil, fish sauce and garlic until combined. Pour over the cucumber mixture, add the sesame seeds and toss until well combined. Enjoy immediately or refrigerate in an airtight container for up to 5 days.

KOREAN PICKLES

Steps:

• Cut the cucumbers into thin slices and toss with salt, then let sit in colander for 1 hour.
• Squeeze water out of cucumbers then roll in paper towels to squeeze any remaining water out.
• Add pepper flakes, vinegar, sesame oil and sugar to the cucumbers, place in airtight container and place in the refrigerator for 1 hour.

SPICY KOREAN MARINATED CUCUMBER, OI MUCHIM (오이무침)

Steps:

• Gather all the ingredients. Prepare the cucumbers. Peel and discard some of the skin and cut into ½ inch thick rounds. Place in a large bowl. Add salt, sugar and gochugaru to cucumbers and mix well. Use disposable gloves to combine and massage the seasoning into the cucumber slices until well coated, about 2 minutes.
• Transfer cucumbers to colander, and set colander inside the large bowl to allow the juices to drain. Cut a piece of parchment paper large enough to cover the surface of the cucumbers. Place parchment paper on top of cucumbers and set a weight (such as a heavy pan, canned goods, cast iron skillet, bowl filled with water, etc.) on top to press down. Set aside and let it rest for at least 30 minutes (up to an hour).
• In a separate bowl, whisk all the remaining ingredients, except for the toasted sesame seeds, until well combined. Set aside.
• When the cucumbers have rested, remove weight, and discard parchment paper. Using clean gloved hands, squeeze cucumber slices to remove any excess liquid. Transfer to bowl with the prepared dressing. Toss cucumber in dressing until well coated. Add sesame seeds (and chopped scallions if using) and mix till evenly distributed. Divide into desired portions, and serve immediately.

SPICY KOREAN CUCUMBER PICKLES (OI MUCHIM)

Steps:

• Squeeze the cucumber pieces firmly to release more water; doing this in small handfuls will be the most effective.
• Cover and chill the pickles for at least 30 to 60 minutes before serving.