Namasu (Cucumber Salad)

I don't like cucumbers raw, but pickle them and I am in love! Namasu is a super simple cucumber salad, I like to make.

Ingredients:

1 large English cucumber

.25 tsp salt

4 Tbsp rice vinegar

2 Tbsp sugar

Preparation:

Peel and thinly slice cucumber and soak in salt for a few minutes.  Then rinse cucumbers.

Mix together other ingredients and pour over cucumbers.  I also like to add some red pepper flakes for color and kick.

Marinate overnight

Another variation is to add an Asian pear:

2 large English cucumbers
1 Asian pear
.5 tsp salt.5 tsp soy saouce
6 Tsp Rice vinegar
1 Tsp sugar 

This requires less sugar because the asian pear brings a natural sweetness.  Either way, pickling makes cucumbers very enjoyable.