This crispy, savory pork and cucumber has a totally different texture from regular stir fry. It is featured by crispiness and crunchiness.
Summer is a great day for all kinds of fresh vegetables and melons. That one of the reason why I love this season. Cucumber is just in season and we harvest several ones each day. The most common way of serving cucumber for us is to make a smashed cucumber salad. But I want to present something new. But that’s this recipe is developed.
I recommend removing the water content from the cucumber firstly, just like what we did in all dry pot dishes. The pork belly is fried until seared with a lovely crispy edges. Water form fresh cucumber may spoil the texture, so I squeeze the water out after the salt marinating. The marinated cucumber also has a lovely crunchy texture itself. The two ingredients combine so great together.
I also shared some of the most lovely cucumber dishes popular in China.
- Smashed cucumber salad 拍黄瓜 is the most commonly served cucumber dish using very basic ingredients in home kitchen.
- Spicy pickled cucumber, this one is also marinated with a hot flavor and crunchy texture.
- Pickled cucumber with soy sauce and vinegar 酱黄瓜 is another great savory appetizer with a savory and sour flavor.
How to prepare the cucumber
Cut cucumber in middle and then remove the pulps. Then cut the cucumber melon into thick slices.
Add around 1/2 tablespoon of salt over the cucumber, mix well and set aside for 30 minutes. Then try to squeeze the water out.
Steps
Heat wok firstly and then add around 1 tablespoon of oil, sway the wok to help the oil cover the surface. Place pork slices in. Fry over middle to slow fire for 2-3 minutes until the pork belly is well seared and browned.
Remove the pork slices to the edges of the wok, and fry garlic, ginger and scallion white until aromatic. Add salt and light soy sauce. Mix well.
Place the marinated cucumber slices in. Turn up the fire and give everything a big stir fry.
Optionally, add some fresh chili at last.
Pork Belly and Cucumber Stir Fry
Ingredients
- 1 long cucumber
- 100 g pork belly slices
- 2 cloves garlic
- 1/2 thumb ginger , peeled and smashed
- 4 scallion whites
- 1 fresh Thai chili pepper , or 2 for a spicy flavor
- 1/2 tbsp. salt for marinating
- 1/2 tbsp. light soy sauce
- 1/4 tsp. salt
Instructions
- Cut cucumber in middle and then remove the pulps. Then cut the cucumber melon into thick slices. Add around ½ tablespoon of salt over the cucumber, mix well and set aside for 30 minutes. Then try to squeeze the water out.
- Heat wok firstly and then add around 1 tablespoon of oil, sway the wok to help the oil cover the surface. Place pork slices in. Fry over middle to slow fire for 2-3 minutes until the pork belly is well seared and browned.
- Remove the pork slices to the edges of the wok, and fry garlic, ginger and scallion white until aromatic. Add salt and light soy sauce. Mix well.
- Place the marinated cucumber slices in. Turn up the fire and give everything a big stir fry.
- Optionally, add some fresh chili at last.
Nutrition
Hello :))
I am from Vienna Austria, my wife was born in Shanghai and is a huge fan of the recipes that I often cook for her from your website. Really enjoy it, those recipes are written great and good to understand. We travelled to Chengdu and Siguniang Shan before Covid… And had great spicy meals there. :)))
Are you at Facebook and WeChat?
Kind regards
Daniel and TingTing
Hi Daniel,
Thanks for your lovely comment. You are such a caring husband. Yes, I am at facebook and Ins. You can contact and send me pictures there. Thank you and happy cooking!