Smashed cucumber and chicken salad

Smashing cucumbers isn’t only a fun way to make a salad it changes the texture and the way the cucumber soaks up the dressing. You could easily make this with just smashed cucumbers but I thought it would be nice to incorporate them into a whole meal. This punchy chicken salad is a delicious make ahead lunch or a nice light dinner.
Serves 6
INGREDIENTS
2 english cucumbers
1/4 tsp salt
1/2 red pepper, seeds and pith remove and sliced thinly
1/4 cup canola oil
1 tbsp minced fresh ginger
1 tbsp granulated sugar
2 tbsp chili-garlic paste
2 tbsp rice vinegar
1 tbsp soy sauce
1 tsp Sesame oil
½ cup torn fresh cilantro
¼ cup torn fresh mint
4 cups cooked shredded chicken
Optional: ½ cup chopped peanuts
COOKING INSTRUCTIONS
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Cut the cucumbers in half lengthwise and place cut side down on to a cutting board.
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Use a mallet or rolling pin and smash the cucumber along its length. Discard any seeds that pop out and then cut the cucumber into bite sized pieces.
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Toss the cucumber pieces with 1/4 tsp salt and place in a fine meshed sieve, set over a bowl, to drain. Let the cucumber sit for 10min.
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In a large bowl, whisk together ginger, chili-garlic paste, rice vinegar, canola, soy and sesame oil. Add in the cucumbers, cilantro, mint and shredded chicken and stir everything together.
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Spoon the salad out on to a platter and garnish with chopped peanuts if using.
For a printable version of the recipe click here.
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