Cucumber Salad with Dried Fish

Cucumber Salad with Dried Fish is a delightful Khmer dish that celebrates Cambodia’s rich soil and abundant seafood. Cambodia is renowned worldwide for producing the best fish sauce and high-quality fresh and dried seafood, contributing to the unique and delicious flavors found in Khmer cuisine. In this particular dish, the combination of grilled dried salty fish and crisp cucumber creates a delicious and refreshing salad.

To prepare this Khmer delicacy, large dried salty fish is soaked in warm water, then grilled until cooked. After removing the fish bones, the meat is shredded into small pieces and set aside. In a small bowl, a flavorful lime sauce is created by mixing fresh lime juice with minced garlic, optional minced hot chili peppers, sugar, and salt. The sliced cucumber is placed in a large bowl, combined with the shredded dried fish meat and a mix of fresh herbs such as mint, sweet basil leaves, or cilantro. The prepared lime sauce is poured over the ingredients, creating a harmonious blend of flavors that can be served immediately.

Khmer people typically enjoy this cucumber salad with dried fish alongside rice, vegetables, and tamarind sauce. The dish encapsulates the essence of Cambodian culinary traditions, where the abundance of seafood and fresh ingredients contributes to the creation of delicious and culturally significant dishes. Cucumber Salad with Dried Fish exemplifies the Khmer love for incorporating diverse flavors and textures, resulting in a dish that is both appetizing and emblematic of Cambodia’s culinary heritage.

Ingredients

Directions to make Cucumber Salad with Dried Fish

1. Cook dried fish on hot grill. When fish cooked, removed fish bones and shredded fish meat to small pieces, set a side.
2. In a small bowl, mix lime juice with garlic, hot chili pepper, sugar and salt together, mix well.
3. Put sliced cucumber in a large bowl, add shredded dried fish meat and fresh mix herbs, pour prepared lime sauce over, mix well and serve immediately.
4. Khmer people prefers this cucumber salad with rice, vegetables and tamarind sauce.

Related Recipe: Green Mango Salad with Dried Fish