Add docs/food_related/dishes/cucumbers_variations.md

docs/food_related/dishes/cucumbers_variations.md

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+# Pickling Cucumbers, White Vinegar, and Mason Jars
+
+## Chinese-Style Pickled Cucumbers
+
+### Ingredients
+- Cucumbers
+- White vinegar
+- Sugar
+- Salt
+- Optional: Sichuan peppercorns, garlic
+
+### Instructions
+1. Thinly slice cucumbers.
+2. Sprinkle with salt and let sit to draw out moisture.
+3. Mix white vinegar and sugar to create a pickling solution.
+4. Add optional spices like Sichuan peppercorns or minced garlic for extra flavor.
+5. Place cucumbers in mason jars and pour the vinegar solution over them.
+6. Seal and refrigerate for at least a few hours before serving.
+
+## Japanese-Style Tsukemono (Pickles)
+
+### Ingredients
+- Cucumbers
+- White vinegar
+- Sugar
+- Salt
+- Optional: soy sauce, sesame seeds, seaweed
+
+### Instructions
+1. Slice cucumbers into desired shapes.
+2. Create a pickling solution with vinegar, sugar, salt, and optional ingredients like soy sauce.
+3. Put cucumbers in mason jars and cover with the pickling solution.
+4. Refrigerate for several hours or overnight before enjoying.
+
+## Sunomono (Japanese Vinegared Salad)
+
+### Ingredients
+- Cucumbers
+- White vinegar
+- Sugar
+- Salt
+- Optional: seaweed, sesame seeds
+
+### Instructions
+1. Thinly slice cucumbers.
+2. Combine vinegar, sugar, and salt to make a dressing.
+3. Toss cucumbers in the dressing.
+4. Add optional ingredients like seaweed or sesame seeds for extra flavor.
+5. Serve as a refreshing side dish.
+
+## Quick Refrigerator Pickles
+
+### Ingredients
+- Cucumbers
+- White vinegar
+- Water
+- Sugar
+- Salt
+- Optional: dill, garlic, mustard seeds
+
+### Instructions
+1. Slice cucumbers and place them in mason jars.
+2. Create a brine with equal parts vinegar and water, then add sugar and salt.
+3. Add optional flavors like dill, garlic, or mustard seeds.
+4. Pour the brine over the cucumbers in the jars.
+5. Seal and refrigerate. They can be ready in as little as 24 hours.
+
+---
+
+## Smashed Cucumber Salad (Chinese Style)
+
+### Ingredients
+- Cucumbers
+- Rice vinegar
+- Soy sauce
+- Sesame oil
+- Garlic
+- Sugar
+- Chili oil or chili flakes
+
+### Preparation
+1. Smash cucumbers to open up the flesh.
+2. Cut them into bite-sized pieces.
+3. Mix rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, minced garlic, and sugar to create a dressing.
+4. Toss the cucumbers in the dressing.
+5. Add chili oil or chili flakes for a spicy kick.
+
+## Japanese Cucumber and Seaweed Salad
+
+### Ingredients
+- Cucumbers
+- Rice vinegar
+- Soy sauce
+- Sugar
+- Salt
+- Dried seaweed (wakame)
+
+### Preparation
+1. Rehydrate dried seaweed in water, then drain.
+2. Thinly slice cucumbers.
+3. Mix rice vinegar, soy sauce, sugar, and a pinch of salt for the dressing.
+4. Combine cucumbers and seaweed.
+5. Toss with the dressing before serving.
+
+## Chinese Hot and Sour Cucumber Pickles
+
+### Ingredients
+- Cucumbers
+- White vinegar
+- Sugar
+- Salt
+- Garlic
+- Red chili peppers
+- Sichuan peppercorns
+
+### Preparation
+1. Cut cucumbers into thick slices or chunks.
+2. Mix white vinegar, sugar, salt, minced garlic, chopped red chili peppers, and Sichuan peppercorns to make a spicy pickling liquid.
+3. Place cucumbers in mason jars.
+4. Pour the pickling liquid over the cucumbers.
+5. Seal and refrigerate for at least 48 hours for flavors to meld.
+
+## Japanese Pickled Cucumber with Ginger
+
+### Ingredients
+- Cucumbers
+- Rice vinegar
+- Sugar
+- Salt
+- Fresh ginger
+
+### Preparation
+1. Thinly slice cucumbers and ginger.
+2. Mix rice vinegar, sugar, and salt to create a pickling solution.
+3. Layer cucumbers and ginger in mason jars.
+4. Pour the pickling solution over them.
+5. Seal and refrigerate for a few hours to pickle.
+
+## Korean-style Spicy Cucumber Salad
+
+### Ingredients
+- Cucumbers
+- Rice vinegar
+- Gochujang (Korean chili paste)
+- Soy sauce
+- Sesame oil
+- Sugar
+- Garlic
+- Sesame seeds
+
+### Preparation
+1. Thinly slice cucumbers.
+2. Create a dressing with rice vinegar, gochujang, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, and minced garlic.
+3. Toss cucumbers in the dressing.
+4. Garnish with sesame seeds.
+
+---