Cucumber and Shiitake Kimchee Recipe

Ingredients:

• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
• 4 ounces shiitake mushrooms, stems removed, caps thinly sliced (about 2 cups)
• 1/4 cup kimchee base, more to taste
• 1 tablespoon kosher salt, plus more to taste
• 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
• 2 English cucumbers, 1/4-inch sliced

Directions:

1. In a large bowl, toss cucumber slices with 1 tablespoon salt. Let sit 1 hour to extract moisture.
2. Meanwhile, heat a large, non-stick skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil. Sauté mushrooms until soft and golden on edges, 5 to 7 minutes. Season lightly with salt, to taste. Transfer to a plate and refrigerate until cucumbers are ready.
3. Rinse cucumbers in a colander. Squeeze out as much liquid as you can. Transfer to a clean bowl.
4. Add chilled shiitake mushrooms. Add in kimchee base. Mix until evenly coated, adding more kimchee base, to taste. The base will be quite thick. We recommend using disposable rubber gloves or a stiff silicone spatula to massage the paste into the vegetables. Sprinkle with sesame seeds.
5. Serve right away or transfer to fridge and consume within 4 days.