Serves 2–4

This salad gets its Thai character from the mint and cilantro in the salad and the fish sauce, rice wine vinegar, and red pepper flakes in the dressing. It's not fancy, but it's a great start to any meal.

Sweet-and-Sour Cucumber Salad

5 tablespoons sugar

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup boiling water

½ cup rice or white vinegar

2 medium cucumbers, seeded and sliced

1 small red onion, sliced

2 Thai chilies, seeded and minced

  1. In a small bowl, combine the sugar, salt, and boiling water. Stir to thoroughly dissolve sugar and salt. Add the vinegar and allow the vinaigrette to cool to room temperature.
  2. Place the cucumbers, onion slices, and the chili peppers in a mediumsized bowl. Pour the dressing over the vegetables. Cover and let marinate in the refrigerator at least until cold, preferably overnight.

illustration Seeding Cucumbers

Seeding a cucumber is simple! Cut the cucumber in half lengthwise. Using a small spoon, scoop out the soft inner flesh and seeds in one quick swoop. That's it!