How To Add More Flair And Flavor To Cucumber Salad — No Extra Ingredients Required

There is an entire aesthetic in Japan devoted to "kawaii," which means "cute." Just about anything — from backpacks to lunchboxes — can be kawaii, and food items are definitely a big part of the vibe. The idea is to focus on whimsical presentations that appeal to people of all ages, and kawaii is front and center on everything from high-end pastries to little characters in lunch boxes (think rice balls made into cute cats) called "kyaraben" or character bentos. One way to bring a touch of kawaii to your summer cucumber salad is to shape the cucumber slices to look like flowers. Instantly, the salad becomes a bit of a showstopper — no extra ingredients, no extra cost.

It has been said that you can "taste the love" when someone cooks for you. Spending the extra bit of time to cut your cucumbers to look like flowers is a tangible way to make your guests (or yourself) feel the warm fuzzies. These dainty little cucumber flowers look just as great in a cocktail (or simply tossed in a pitcher of water with a handful of mint leaves) as they do in a salad. You could even try this trick when making pickled cucumbers or with super chunky zucchini or yellow squash flowers to liven up your summer vegetable kebabs.

To take your cucumbers from ho hum to adorbs, you just need a few minutes of attention with your knife. It is best to use the English or Persian cucumber varieties, which have fewer seeds and less water content than regular garden or American ones, making them sturdier and more able to hold a discernible flower shape. Start with freshly washed cucumbers that you've cut into four or five-inch segments and lay them lengthwise on your cutting board. From there, cut down the length of each section at a 45-degree angle going about ¼ of an inch down into the cucumber flesh and then cut again from the opposite angle. Don't overthink this. You are just making a little v-shaped cut.

You will end up with a small notched segment to remove (you can save these scraps to use later). Continue making similar cuts spaced evenly around the circumference of the cucumber, removing about five or six long skinny wedges, depending on the size of the cucumber. These v-shaped cuts will ultimately create the flower "petals." It will be important to pay attention to cutting safety for this: take your time, watch your fingers, and maybe even wear a protective glove. Once you've notched your way around, simply cut the segments width-wise, like you normally would, into thin slices and voilà, precious flower-shaped cucumber beauties. Just be warned — after one try, you may be hooked on this cucumber shape upgrade.