Cucumber with Umeboshi

This is the type of food that you expect to see at izakakaya restaurants as appetizer called “otooshi”. While you look at the menu thinking what to order, you get something to munch on. Isn’t it great?!

This refreshing side dish combines crisp smashed cucumbers with the tangy punch of umeboshi. The natural sourness of pickled plums not only adds depth of flavor but also awakens your taste buds and lifts your spirits. A perfect, energizing bite on warm days or when you need a quick pick-me-up.

This side dish is more like a salad or an appetizer. I thought this might make a dish to serve between the main dishes.For the umeboshi, I used homemade ones with low salt content (10%).Mayonnaise makes it like salad. Recipe by Mimato

The way to reduce the pungent taste is by cutting at right angles and contact with air. I tried it and it is very effective.By cutting the onion at right angles, it kills the cell and put the pungent component in front. And by spreading in basket on contacting with air blows the pungent taste away. Also the sourness of umeboshi helps to shade off the pungent taste. Recipe by Tanshin funin no ryourinin

This is the recipe that is the basis for "Chicken Tender and Cucumber Shira-ae with Umeboshi Flavor". I didn't think it was worth posting as a separate recipe, but putting it in one recipe made it too long so I separated the recipe.I used honey marinated umeboshi that weigh about 15 g with the pits (the same ones I used forto make "Chicken Tender and Cucumber Shira-ae with Umeboshi Flavor"). Adjust the amount to your taste.This is delicious with the addition of julienned green shiso leaves mixed in or topped as a garnish. Recipe by Sabumochi

I came up with this new dish by combining an idea from a recipe from my reliable Cookpad mate, "tomimo" with one of my own recipes.Toss the ingredients in the dressing right before serving. While it also tastes good tender, it will be a bit watery. Adjust the amount of umeboshi depending on the type you use. Recipe by Chikori mama

This dish is great for those times when you need one more dish but you don't have enough time nor ingredients.I came up with this idea just at such a moment and used what I could find in the refrigerator.Honestly, it only takes 3 minutes to make. Easy, but an authentic taste.The tartness of salt-cured plum (umeboshi) is great in this recipe. If using sweet honey-soaked umeboshi, replace the mirin with an equivalent amount of Japanese noodle dipping sauce.Use mentsuyu (Japanese noodle dipping sauce) that's been concentrated about 3-4 times.Adjust the quantity to your liking. Recipe by Ichigoaporo

I had leftover chrysanthemum greens when I bought too much for a hot pot, and didn't want them to go bad. I wanted to test to see whether the sourness of umeboshi would eliminate the bitterness of the chrysanthemum greens. It came out tasty, so now I always make this dish when we have hot pot, or the day after.Be sure to drain the excess water from the chrysanthemum greens. This is also tasty with a bit of mayonnaise. For 2 servings. Recipe by katana1100

I mixed cucumbers with konbu-cha to prepare instant pickles, but I thought it might also make a good little appetizer if I also added garlic.Water will come out of the cucumbers over time, so mix in the konbu-cha and garlic just before serving. Recipe by Poron526

I made this when I was out of dressing. It was really good, so I've been relying on it ever since.This is also good with mizuna greens or green bell peppers instead of cucumber.If you leave it standing for too long the tofu will start to exude moisture, so I recommend making it just before you plan to eat it. For 2 servings. Recipe by naganyo

This is a no-oil added dish that's good when you're on a diet.You can add shiitake or shimeji mushrooms for more volume without adding calories. It's great for bentos, but as time passes the color will darken a bit. Green shiso dressing matches well with it, too! For 4 servings. Recipe by Tamochan

I used to eat this quite frequently when I was at my parent's place. I think my father came up with this dish.Use just a bit of the soy sauce since the umeboshi and shirasu is already pretty salty. Recipe by Setsubunhijiki

I had an odd amount of bamboo and fuki left over, so I tried making this together with the umeboshi in the fridge. It's a light taste for warm spring days.Don't let it boil too strongly. Cook on medium to low heat. If it boils too much, the fuki will be discolored. Use light-colored soy sauce. I modified the amounts a bit. Recipe by Akkonee

I like to eat the tomatoes as an appetizer. Umeboshi gives this a delightfully refreshing taste.Depending on the saltiness of the umeboshi, add salt or soy sauce to taste.Try this recipe with cherry tomatoes or regular-sized tomatoes.Substitute the dashi for mentsuyu if you like.The soup also goes well with somen (thin wheat) noodles. Top with wakame or sliced okra! For 3-4 servings. Recipe by marimari kitchen

Okra and umeboshi go well together. This chilled tofu dish is perfect to enjoy during the summer.Cut the okra while they are still raw, then blanch in boiling water. It's easier this way, and I feel that the okra stay crispy while becoming extra gooey. Just drain the boiling water in Step 3. After draining the hot water from the okra and letting them rest for a while in a sieve, they're ready when some of their gooey liquid starts to drip. For 3-4 servings. Recipe by aya2920

This is a variation of my standard umeboshi and mayonnaise sauce.Sweet Onion with Umeboshi & Mayonnaise..Snap Peas with Umeboshi & Mayonnaise..It also tastes good with daikon radish, yam, okra, and lotus root.Step 1 Don't soak the onions in water for too long. Just about 3 minutes should be fine. Use half the amount of chicken as the steamed chicken recipe calls for.Step 3 In the photos, I used green onions for garnish, but you don't have to. This also tastes good if you add it to sushi. Adjust the amount of mayonnaise to taste. Recipe by Yuuyuu0221

I measured the ingredients I use for the cucumber with sesame seeds I make all the time to turn it into a proper recipe.I removed the seeds from the cucumber to enjoy its crispy crunchy texture, but you can omit that step if you like. Recipe by Snow*Love

Since I love the combination of umeboshi and miso, I tried it out on pounded cucumber.It's best to use unsweetened umeboshi. If left sitting for too long, this will become watery, so serve as soon as you mix in the seasoning. It has 53 kcal per serving. Recipe by LazyHata

My neighbor gave me a load of cabbage and I wanted to make it into a refreshing salad, so I came up with this recipe.Be sure to soak the chopped cabbage in water to crisp it up. Recipe by Akoyu

This is our family's regular dish.-If the umeboshi is popping out, the chicken will spit when it's being fried. To prevent this, make sure to press it down and dredge well.-The chicken won't cook thoroughly if the oil is too hot. So, make sure it's just the right temperature. Recipe by Yuuyuu0221

I bought some fresh sardines. Of the ten I bought, I used 6 for sashimi, and the rest in this recipe.To tell whether sardines are fresh, look for a taut body, well-defined, glossy scales, and black eyes.They're prone to breaking or falling apart when transferring to a serving plate, so try the process listed in Step 6.It's pretty easy. Give it a try!! Recipe by kumayuki

I wanted to enjoy something refreshing and summer-like.Don't mix too much in Step 2. (Mix just enough that the tomatoes aren't falling apart.)If you leave the mixed tomatoes for a while, the flavors will penetrate them.Tomatoes that are ripe but still firm will look nicer. For about 2 servings. Recipe by Mayumi

My mother used to put this dish in my bento lunchbox when I was a kid.Since the chikuwa are already cooked, they are safe to put in a bento lunchbox as a side dish.When you have time, if you let the chikuwa cool in the pot, they absorb the flavour more and they will be even more delicious.Adjust the flavor of the chikuwa to preference. Recipe by Poron526

I wanted to use kiriboshi daikon in a light tossed salad instead of in a simmered dish.In Step 1, you can use a microwave instead of a stovetop.Squeeze the kiriboshi daikon and cucumber well, so that the it doesn't get too watery. Recipe by Harapekoayu

My mother-in-law taught me that adding umeboshi removes the fishy smell, and make the dish refreshing and delicious.I season it a little bit sweet, taking the saltiness of the umeboshi into consideration, but please adjust it to your liking. Recipe by GELUGUGU

I thought up a new way to use my freshly pickled umeboshi from this year.I suggest using a thick chikuwa since they give a nice texture. Recipe by Snow*Love

Japanese pickled plums is salt-preserved food. I recommend making it on a 15% ratio (300g salt and 2kg plums) so that they will stay good and last long for years at room temperature. We start making this when you see plums begin to be on the market. While the plums are being pickled, red shiso leaves begin to be on the market. When the rainy season is over, it's time to get the plums out from the jar and sun dry them. Making homemade umeboshi in Japan is always with feeling the change of the seasons.

I found this dish on the menu of a restaurant I happened to visit one day. I imagined what the taste was like from the name and photo on the menu, and I created my own version The result was pretty good I want to try the genuine version at the restaurant next time.The chicken will be tough if you overcook it, so stir-fry the cucumber and chicken separately for the best result. Adjust the amount of umeboshi as you like. If you use the salty umeboshi, use 2 medium ones or 1 large one. Recipe by wappa

I like umeboshi, so I came up with this simple recipe.Don't boil the snap peas for too long. I recommend using sushi vinegar instead of the rice vinegar. See. Recipe by Yuuyuu0221

I kind of just made this dish up as I went along.You can make a chilled pasta dish with this recipe by soaking it in cold water before draining.If you do so, boil the pasta for an extra minute longer than indicated on the package.Don't fry anything, just put all the ingredients together in a bowl and mix. Recipe by Yuuyuu0221