Chinese Cuisine
Refreshing Cucumber Jelly Rolls with Sour and Spicy Dressing
These refreshing cucumber jelly rolls are made with cucumber peel juice, flour, and starch, creating translucent green sheets with a pleasantly chewy texture. Tossed with crisp cucumber, carrot, and a tangy spicy dressing, this light and colorful dish is perfect as a cooling appetizer or summer side.
- Total
- 1 hour
Quick Recipe Summary
- Cuisine
- Chinese
- Category
- Chinese Cuisine
- Method
- Steaming
- Total Time
- 1 hour
- Difficulty
- Average
- Main Ingredient
- All-Purpose Flour
Introduction
These refreshing cucumber jelly rolls are made with cucumber peel juice, flour, and starch, creating translucent green sheets with a pleasantly chewy texture. Tossed with crisp cucumber, carrot, and a tangy spicy dressing, this light and colorful dish is perfect as a cooling appetizer or summer side.
This Refreshing Cucumber Jelly Rolls with Sour and Spicy Dressing recipe is written for Chinese home cooking, with attention to timing, texture, and the small cues that make the method easier to follow. Read through the ingredient notes and cooking tips before you start so the steps feel familiar once the pan, steamer, or pot is hot.
Why You'll Love This Recipe
- Written with clear home-cooking steps so the process is easier to follow from start to finish.
- Breaks the method into manageable steps instead of assuming you already know the technique.
- Gives the dish a clear sour and spicy flavor profile without making the method feel complicated.
- Useful as a reference recipe because the steps explain both what to do and what to watch for.
Ingredients
- 400 grams All-Purpose Flour
- 40 grams Cornstarch
- 4 grams Salt
- as needed Cucumber Peel Juice
- 3 Cucumbers
- 1 Carrot
- 1 bunch Chinese Chives
- to taste Salt
- a little Sesame Oil
- to taste Light Soy Sauce
- to taste Vinegar
- 2 Scallions
- 3 cloves Garlic
- 1 tablespoon Chili Oil
- 1 teaspoon White Sesame Seeds
- a little Pine Nuts
- a little Cold Boiled Water
- to taste Sugar
Ingredient Notes
These notes explain the role of the main ingredients so the recipe is easier to adjust without losing its Chinese home-cooking character.
All-Purpose Flour
This ingredient helps define the flavor, texture, or structure of the dish.
Cornstarch
Starch helps sauces cling and can protect sliced meat during quick cooking.
Salt
This ingredient helps define the flavor, texture, or structure of the dish.
Cucumber Peel Juice
This ingredient helps define the flavor, texture, or structure of the dish.
Cucumbers
This ingredient helps define the flavor, texture, or structure of the dish.
Carrot
Vegetables bring texture and freshness; cut them evenly so they cook or ferment at a similar pace.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1
Wash 2 cucumbers thoroughly. Peel them and blend the peels with a little water until smooth. Strain the mixture through a fine sieve to obtain cucumber peel juice.
Step 2
Combine the flour, cornstarch, and salt in a bowl. Gradually stir in the cucumber juice until a smooth, pourable batter forms. Let the batter rest for 30 minutes.
Step 3
Lightly grease a flat steaming pan or pizza pan with oil.
Step 4
Pour a ladleful of batter into the pan and swirl it to create a thin, even layer.
Step 5
Place the pan over boiling water in a steamer.
Step 6
Cover and steam for 1 to 2 minutes, until bubbles appear across the surface and the sheet is fully set.
Step 7
Remove the pan and place it briefly in cold water for about 20 seconds to cool.
Step 8
Brush the surface lightly with oil and carefully peel off the jelly sheet.
Step 9
Continue making the remaining sheets using the same method.
Step 10
Stack the finished sheets neatly on a plate, brushing lightly with oil between layers if needed.
Step 11
Stack 2 sheets together and cut them into thin strips.
Step 12
Julienne the remaining cucumber and carrot into fine strips.
Step 13
Prepare the dressing by mixing salt, sugar, light soy sauce, vinegar, scallions, minced garlic, cold water, chili oil, sesame seeds, pine nuts, and chopped chives. Finish with a drizzle of sesame oil.
Step 14
Arrange carrot strips on a serving plate, top with the cucumber jelly strips, then add the cucumber and carrot shreds. Pour the dressing over and toss gently.
Step 15
Serve immediately and enjoy the chewy texture and refreshing flavor.
Step 16
A vibrant summer appetizer that is light, tangy, and pleasantly spicy.
Cooking Tips
- 1. Increase the amount of cucumber peel for a deeper green color. 2. Strain the cucumber juice thoroughly to achieve a smoother texture. 3. The batter should be thin and pourable; adjust with additional cucumber juice or water as needed. 4. Always brush the finished sheets with a little oil to prevent sticking. 5. Chill before serving for an even more refreshing taste.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve it with steamed rice when you want a simple Chinese home-cooked meal.
- Serve with a stronger stir-fry, braised dish, or dipping sauce to balance the gentle texture.
- Steamed dishes are best when served hot, before condensation softens the surface.
Recipe Card
These refreshing cucumber jelly rolls are made with cucumber peel juice, flour, and starch, creating translucent green sheets with a pleasantly chewy texture. Tossed with crisp cucumber, carrot, and a tangy spicy dressing, this light and colorful dish is perfect as a cooling appetizer or summer side.
Ingredients
- 400 grams All-Purpose Flour
- 40 grams Cornstarch
- 4 grams Salt
- as needed Cucumber Peel Juice
- 3 Cucumbers
- 1 Carrot
- 1 bunch Chinese Chives
- to taste Salt
- a little Sesame Oil
- to taste Light Soy Sauce
- to taste Vinegar
- 2 Scallions
- 3 cloves Garlic
- 1 tablespoon Chili Oil
- 1 teaspoon White Sesame Seeds
- a little Pine Nuts
- a little Cold Boiled Water
- to taste Sugar
Method
- Wash 2 cucumbers thoroughly. Peel them and blend the peels with a little water until smooth. Strain the mixture through a fine sieve to obtain cucumber peel juice.
- Combine the flour, cornstarch, and salt in a bowl. Gradually stir in the cucumber juice until a smooth, pourable batter forms. Let the batter rest for 30 minutes.
- Lightly grease a flat steaming pan or pizza pan with oil.
- Pour a ladleful of batter into the pan and swirl it to create a thin, even layer.
- Place the pan over boiling water in a steamer.
- Cover and steam for 1 to 2 minutes, until bubbles appear across the surface and the sheet is fully set.
- Remove the pan and place it briefly in cold water for about 20 seconds to cool.
- Brush the surface lightly with oil and carefully peel off the jelly sheet.
- Continue making the remaining sheets using the same method.
- Stack the finished sheets neatly on a plate, brushing lightly with oil between layers if needed.
- Stack 2 sheets together and cut them into thin strips.
- Julienne the remaining cucumber and carrot into fine strips.
- Prepare the dressing by mixing salt, sugar, light soy sauce, vinegar, scallions, minced garlic, cold water, chili oil, sesame seeds, pine nuts, and chopped chives. Finish with a drizzle of sesame oil.
- Arrange carrot strips on a serving plate, top with the cucumber jelly strips, then add the cucumber and carrot shreds. Pour the dressing over and toss gently.
- Serve immediately and enjoy the chewy texture and refreshing flavor.
- A vibrant summer appetizer that is light, tangy, and pleasantly spicy.
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