Japanese Cucumber Salad

Hijiki seaweed supposedly is the highest source of calcium among these sea-vegetables. Black sesame seeds (or any unhulled sesame) are also good non-dairy sources of calcium.

The following recipe is inspired by the cucumber salad you get at sushi bars. The recipe is loosely written meaning not many measurements are given. As you will find, I can be really bad at keeping track of little things - like measuring! - as I am more of a fancy free, intuitive kind of a creative person. Usually it works out!

BTW, yes there is seafood in here, not to mention the seaweed.



Ingredients

1/2 large cucumber, diced (leave skins on)
2 shrimp, boiled and chopped in small bits
1 t. dried hijiki seaweed, soaked and rinsed
1 green onion, chopped (green parts)
1/2" piece ginger, grated
A pinch of sugar

Add, to taste:

rice vinegar
sea salt (like Redmond's Real Salt, my favorite)
black sesame seeds, roasted
sesame oil
olive oil (just a little!)
Asian chili sauce (you know, the one with the rooster on the bottle)

Mix together. Let rest 15 minutes before serving.