Recipe
Only These Ingredients?! This Cucumber Sandwich is the Absolute Best!
Ingredients
- 2slices of sandwich bread (medium-thick / 6-slice pack)
- 2cucumbers (approx. 100g / 3.5 oz each)
- Mayonnaise,to taste (generous amount)
- Whole-grainmustard, to taste
- 2slices of cheddar cheese
About "Cucumber Sandwich"
A simple sandwich featuring just 4 main ingredients, with 2 whole cucumbers as the star. Slicing the cucumbers vertically adds volume and a tender mouthfeel. Spreading mayonnaise first prevents the bread from getting soggy, while whole-grain mustard and cheddar cheese elevate the cucumber's refreshing flavor. Wrapping and immediately pressing the sandwich ensures a beautiful, clean green cross-section when cut.
Tips for Making "Cucumber Sandwich"
-
Prep
- After cutting off the stem end of the cucumber, rub the cut surfaces together to draw out the bitter sap. The appearance of white foam indicates the bitterness is being removed. You only need to do this on the stem end.
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Prep
- Placing a damp cloth under the mandoline slicer prevents slipping for safer slicing. Cutting the cucumbers in half crosswise before slicing them lengthwise makes them the perfect length to fit the bread without spilling out.
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Seasoning
- Spread a generous amount of mayonnaise on both slices of bread to balance the volume of the two cucumbers. The oil in the mayo acts as a barrier, preventing cucumber moisture from making the bread soggy.
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Seasoning
- Dot a small amount of whole-grain mustard on top of the mayonnaise and spread it lightly to leave a marbled effect. This variation in flavor keeps every bite interesting.
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Assembly
- Layer the sliced cucumbers evenly across the bread, overlapping them slightly rather than piling them up in one spot. This layering creates a crisp texture and a beautiful cross-section.
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Finishing
- Wetting, crumpling, and squeezing out a sheet of parchment paper makes it pliable and easy to wrap with. Do not let the wrapped sandwich sit; immediately press down gently to compress the ingredients, then slice.
Ingredients for "Cucumber Sandwich"
5 items* Tap ingredient names to find on Amazon
- 2slices of sandwich bread (medium-thick / 6-slice pack)
- 2cucumbers (approx. 100g / 3.5 oz each)
- Mayonnaise,to taste (generous amount)
- Whole-grainmustard, to taste
- 2slices of cheddar cheese
How to Make "Cucumber Sandwich"
- 1
Rinse the cucumbers and cut off the stem ends slightly. Rub the cut end against the cucumber's sliced surface in a circular motion. Once white foam (bitterness/sap) appears, the process is complete. Cut off the blossom end as well, but you only need to rub the stem end.
- 2
Cut the cucumbers in half crosswise. Place a damp cloth under a mandoline slicer for stability, and slice the cucumbers thinly lengthwise. If it gets too close to your fingers and becomes risky, feel free to eat the remaining piece.
- 3
Prepare 2 slices of bread and spread a generous amount of mayonnaise on one side of each slice.
- 4
Dot a small amount of whole-grain mustard on top of the mayonnaise on both slices, spreading it lightly to create a marbled effect rather than mixing it completely.
- 5
Tear 2 slices of cheddar cheese in half and arrange them on one of the bread slices so they reach all the way to the edges.
- 6
Layer the sliced cucumbers a few pieces at a time, overlapping them slightly to create even layers across the entire slice of bread until all of them are used.
- 7
Place the other slice of bread on top.
- 8
Wet a sheet of parchment paper, crumple it up, and squeeze out the excess water thoroughly. Place the sandwich on the paper and wrap it tightly.
- 9
Immediately after wrapping, gently but firmly press down from the top to compress the ingredients together.
- 10
Cut the sandwich in half through the wrapping paper and serve.
Detailed Commentary on "Cucumber Sandwich"
* Content organized by topics from the video.
Beat the Summer Heat with Cucumber Sandwiches!
Good morning, I'm Sakura! Today, we're making a cucumber sandwich that is absolutely perfect for summer. The ingredients are incredibly simple, and the recipe is super easy, yet the result is amazingly delicious. It's a 'simple is best' dish that lets you fully enjoy the juicy, crisp texture of cucumbers. Along with the cooking steps, I'll share some handy tips to make cucumbers taste even better and some fun facts about the ingredients. I hope you enjoy watching until the end. Let's get cooking!
The Secret to Removing Cucumber Bitterness
First, let's prep our star ingredient: the cucumbers. We're using two cucumbers, about 100g (3.5 oz) each. After a quick rinse, you can skip tedious steps like rubbing them with salt. Start by cutting off a small piece of the stem end. Here is the key trick: rub the cut end and the cucumber's sliced surface together in a circular motion. You'll see a white, foamy substance start to emerge. This is the cucumber's sap, which causes bitterness and astringency. While modern cucumbers are less bitter than they used to be, bitterness still concentrates around the stem. By stimulating it like this to draw out the sap, the raw flavor improves dramatically, making it much more pleasant to eat. Cut the blossom end as well, but since only clear moisture comes out of that side, you only need to do this rubbing trick on the stem end.
Slicing Lengthwise & Cucumber Nutrition Facts
Once the bitterness is removed, cut the cucumbers in half crosswise. Next, place a damp cloth under your bowl and set up your mandoline slicer on top. The cloth keeps the slicer from slipping, making it much safer and easier to use. Today, we are slicing the cucumbers lengthwise. While diagonal slices work too, thin vertical slices add more volume to the sandwich and create a softer, more delicate mouthfeel. If you get nervous as you reach the end of the cucumber, just snack on the leftover piece! People sometimes call cucumbers the 'least nutritious vegetable in the world,' but that's actually a myth. They are rich in potassium, which helps flush out excess sodium, prevent bloating, and manage high blood pressure. Even if they seem mostly made of water, they are incredibly beneficial for your body.
Choosing Bread & Mayo's Protective Barrier
Next, let's prepare the bread. We're using two slices of medium-thick bread (from a standard 6-slice pack), which is widely available. People often think of ultra-thin slices for sandwiches, but those can be hard to use up if you have leftovers. Interestingly, bread thickness preferences vary by region in Japan—the Kansai region prefers thick 4 to 6-slice cuts, while Kanto leans toward 6 to 8-slice cuts. I chose the 6-slice thickness so anyone can easily recreate this. Spread a generous amount of mayonnaise on one side of each slice. Since we are using two whole cucumbers, you need the richness and saltiness of the mayo to balance them out; spreading what feels like 'a bit too much' is the secret to great flavor. Additionally, applying mayonnaise first acts as an oil barrier, preventing the moisture from the cucumbers from soaking into the bread. This keeps your sandwich from getting soggy so it stays delicious until the very last bite.
Adding Depth with Mustard and Cheddar
After spreading the mayonnaise, add another key element: dot a little whole-grain mustard onto both slices of bread. Spread it lightly with a spoon, but the trick is to leave it marbled rather than mixing it uniformly. This creates delightful contrast in every bite—some spots will burst with the tangy, sharp kick of mustard, while others highlight the rich creaminess of the mayonnaise, keeping your palate excited. Next, add the sliced cheese. I highly recommend cheddar cheese for its rich, punchy flavor. It has a deeper taste than standard processed cheese and pairs beautifully with the refreshing cucumber. Tear the cheese slices in half and arrange them so they cover the bread all the way to the edges.
The Art of Layering Cucumbers Beautifully
Now, it's time to pile those sliced cucumbers onto the bread. You might wonder, 'Will all of this really fit?' Yes, it absolutely will! When adding the cucumbers, grab a few slices at a time and layer them across the bread, overlapping them slightly. Instead of dumping them all in one pile, spreading them evenly creates beautiful, distinct layers. These layers are what yield that incredibly crisp, satisfying crunch. Plus, because we cut the cucumbers in half crosswise before slicing them lengthwise, the slices are the perfect length for the bread, fitting snugly without spilling over. Unlike shredded or chopped cucumbers, which tend to fall out as you eat, these long slices stay perfectly in place. Once you've piled on all the cucumbers, top it with the second slice of bread.
Why We Press with Wet Parchment Paper
Once the sandwich is assembled, tear off a piece of parchment paper slightly longer than the sandwich. Wet the paper under running water, crumple it up, and squeeze out the excess moisture thoroughly. Wetting the paper makes it soft and pliable, making it much easier to wrap the sandwich tightly. Be sure to shake off any excess water so the bread doesn't get soggy. Place the sandwich on the paper and wrap it up. Normally, you'd let a wrapped sandwich rest for 10 to 15 minutes to let the ingredients settle, but because cucumbers contain so much water, letting them sit will cause moisture to seep out. Instead, gently but firmly press down on the wrapped sandwich immediately. This quick press binds the ingredients together, allowing you to cut it cleanly without waiting.
A Stunning Cross-Section & Perfect Crunch
After pressing, cut the sandwich in half right through the paper. Make sure you cut in the right direction, sawing the knife back and forth gently. When you look at the cross-section, you'll see a gorgeous green mosaic of layered cucumbers. Taking a bite, you'll find that because the cucumbers are thinly sliced and layered, they are incredibly easy to bite through, offering a light, crisp texture that melts in your mouth. Thick cucumber chunks can be tough to bite, but this method delivers pure, refreshing juiciness. The rich mayonnaise, salty cheddar, and tangy whole-grain mustard perfectly complement the fresh cucumber. It's unbelievably delicious for something so simple. This is bound to become your go-to summer sandwich. Give it a try!
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食事処さくらの料理教室
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