Easy California Roll Cucumber Salad

This Easy California Roll Cucumber Salad captures the fresh, vibrant flavors of a California sushi roll in a light, no-cook salad form. Featuring crisp English cucumbers, creamy avocado, sweet crab (or imitation crab), and a tangy dressing, it's a refreshing dish perfect for warm days or as a side to your favorite Asian-inspired meals. With just 10 minutes of prep time and no cooking required, this salad is both convenient and delicious. It's also customizable to suit dietary preferences and ingredient availability, making it a versatile addition to any meal.

Ingredients:

• 2 medium English cucumbers

• 1 ripe avocado

• 1 cup imitation crab meat (or real crab, cooked shrimp, or flaked tuna)

• 2 tablespoons Kewpie mayonnaise (or regular mayonnaise with a splash of rice vinegar and a pinch of sugar)

• 2 tablespoons whipped cream cheese (or regular cream cheese, softened)

• 1 teaspoon sesame oil

• 1 tablespoon rice vinegar

• 1 teaspoon sugar

• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (black sesame seeds or crushed peanuts/cashews as alternatives)

• Juice of ½ lemon (optional, for avocado)
  
  

Directions:

1. Prepare the Cucumbers:

   • Slice the cucumbers thinly.

   • Place them in a colander, sprinkle with a pinch of salt, and let them drain for 15–20 minutes to remove excess moisture.

   • After draining, gently pat the cucumbers dry with paper towels.

2. Prepare the Avocado:

   • Just before serving, peel, pit, and cube the avocado.

   • Toss the cubes with lemon juice to prevent browning.

3. Prepare the Crab:

   • If using imitation crab, chop it into bite-sized pieces.

   • For real crab, cooked shrimp, or flaked tuna, ensure they are chopped into similar-sized pieces.

4. Make the Dressing:

   • In a bowl, combine the mayonnaise, whipped cream cheese, sesame oil, rice vinegar, and sugar.

   • Mix until smooth and well combined.

5. Assemble the Salad:

   • In a large bowl, gently toss the prepared cucumbers, avocado, and crab with the dressing until evenly coated.

   • Sprinkle sesame seeds over the top before serving.
     
     

Nutritional Information (per serving):

• Calories: Approximately 250 kcal

• Protein: 10g

• Carbohydrates: 12g

• Fat: 18g

• Fiber: 4g

• Sodium: 300mg