Slinky Cucumber – Yin Yang Cucumber

Starting from one end of the cucumber and vertical to it, cut in about ⅘ of the way deep. Turn over the cucumber and turn knife about 35 degrees counterclockwise and cut in about the same depth. This will connect the cuts previously made. This might take some practice, so have a backup cucumber available. Make sure not to cut through all the way or you will end up with pieces of cucumber rather than one long slinky cucumber.

Marinate the cucumber with salt for an hour. This will draw the extra water out from the cucumber. Then take a napkin and wipe the plate to absorb all of the water.

Combine the peppercorns and dried chili with hot oil in a bowl, and let sit for a few minutes so that the peppers infuse the oil with flavor and color.

Then combine the other ingredients to make the sauce. After the sauce is made, lay out the cucumber in an S pattern if you like, as in this video the chef has decided to incorporate the Yin Yang symbol in the dish. There is a reason for that too. More on that later.

Then pour the dark sauce over the cucumber and balanced all over the plate. On one side, pour a bit of the infused chili oil, as this will add flavor and also add color to the one side to give it a genuine Yin Yang symbol look. Add the cucumber rolls as in the video for the dots in the symbol, and you’re done!

Enjoy!

So, why is the chef using a Yin Yang symbol in this dish? It is likely because the dish itself is being used to demonstrate the cooling and warming aspects that certain foods have, such as the cucumber and chili pepper. In Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) the cucumber is known to have cold or cooling properties on the body when consumed. Chili peppers and other spicy ingredients are known to have hot or warming properties. In this dish, the combination of the two creates a Yin and Yang balance between both properties. This might be a dish to enjoy during the warm summer months. Perhaps in the evening as it has warming properties in it with the spices.