The sea cucumber is an edible jellyfish, typically sold dried for ease of storage and transportation. It's important to purchase from a reputable source, as only certain types are safe to eat—many jellyfish species are toxic. Once you have your sea cucumber, follow these recipes to prepare a delicious dish.
Recipe: Cold Mixed Sea Cucumber Heads
Ingredients:
200g sea cucumber heads, 1 tbsp light soy sauce, 2 tbsp black vinegar, sesame oil, 1/2 tbsp sugar, a small amount of scallions, ginger, and garlic.
Method:
1. Soak the sea cucumber heads in clean water for half a day, then clean them and tear into small pieces.
2. Chop the scallions finely and place them in a bowl. Heat 1 tbsp of oil in a pan and pour over the scallions to create a fragrant scallion oil.
3. Drain the sea cucumber heads and blanch them briefly in hot water (around 80°C), then cool and transfer to a bowl.
4. Drain the sea cucumber heads and mix with light soy sauce, black vinegar, and sugar. Add chopped ginger, garlic, scallion oil, and sesame oil. Mix well and serve.
Tips:
Do not boil the sea cucumber; use slightly cooled boiling water. Change the soaking water frequently.
Recipe: Radish and Sea Cucumber Salad
Ingredients:
Half a pound of sea cucumber, oil as needed, monosodium glutamate, scallions, 500g radish, salt, sugar, pepper, a little chili.
Method:
1. Shred the radish, add salt, mix well, and set aside to drain.
2. Soak the sea cucumber in water, change the water twice, then shred and set aside.
3. Blanch the sea cucumber shreds in hot water for a few seconds, drain, and chop the scallions.
4. Place the sea cucumber at the bottom of a bowl, add the radish shreds, sprinkle with scallions, and add salt, sugar, monosodium glutamate, and pepper.
5. Pour hot oil over it, sprinkle with scallion and chili shreds, and serve.
Tips:
Blanch the sea cucumber briefly; if left too long, it will shrink significantly.
Recipe: Cucumber and Sea Cucumber Salad
Ingredients:
300g sea cucumber, 100g cucumber, 50g coriander, rice vinegar, light soy sauce, salt, chili oil, roasted sesame seeds, sugar mixed into a dressing.
Method:
1. Soak the sea cucumber in cold water with salt to remove the fishy smell. After washing, soak in cold boiled water for 1 hour, then drain and set aside.
2. Shred the cucumber, mix with salt, chop the coriander, and set aside. Blanch the sea cucumber in warm water for 10 seconds, then drain and soak in ice water for 10 minutes.
3. In a small bowl, mix rice vinegar, light soy sauce, salt, chili oil, roasted sesame seeds, and sugar to make a dressing.
4. After soaking the sea cucumber, place it in a large bowl, add the cucumber and coriander, pour in the dressing, mix well, and serve.
Nutritional Value and Benefits of Sea Cucumber
Sea cucumber contains various nutrients, including iodine, which is essential for human health. Additionally, it can help lower blood pressure and dilate blood vessels. The collagen in sea cucumber can prevent arteriosclerosis, help prevent tumors, eliminate dust accumulation in the body, cleanse the intestines, and maintain overall health.