Digital Bite: Smashed Cucumbers Are A Smash Hit At Palmar In Wynwood
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WYNWOOD (CBSMiami) -- Palmar is an easy, breezy hip and cool restaurant in Wynwood featuring modern Chinese food with a global twist.
Executive Chef Raymond Li, formerly of Zuma, brings his worldly background into the dishes he creates.
"My dad is Cuban Chinese and my mother is Colombian and I was born and raised in Miami, so it's a virtual melting pot here," said Chef Raymond.
Looking around the space with soft colors and a relaxed tropical vibe the restaurant feels very familiar.
"It's very Miami. It's a Chinese restaurant but I'm looking at pink leather couches," said CBS4's Lisa Petrillo.
"Correct and you're hearing salsa. We're a progressive modern Chinese restaurant and I have my Latin influences inside the food," explained Chef Robert.
Food that has received rave reviews, including a nomination by Bon Appetit Magazine as one of the 10 best new restaurants in the U.S.
"I really wanted to elevate the cuisine and I grew up eating Chinese food. I'm always used to just food on plate and I'm not in this business to put food on a plate. I'm in it for the art of things, the flavors to create an experience for guests," Chef said.
So let's get to that food and our Digital Bite.
A classic Chinese side dish called Smashed Cucumbers.
INGREDIENTS
- 1 large cucumber (European preferably)
- (8g) - garlic, minced
- (30g) - Fresh citrus juice (lemon- lime juice : Equal parts)
- (2g) - Kosher salt
- (2g) - Schimimi togarashi (available in oriental markets)
- (3g) - Homemade szechuan oil (can replace with store bought sesame Chili oil)
DIRECTIONS
- Start by smashing cucumber using a chef knife, in between 2 mixing bowls, palm of hands, or any method that is available or convenient to smash the cucumber
- Once cucumber is smashed, slice into smaller pieces into desired shape
- Add the garlic, fresh citrus juice, salt, togarshi to the cucumber and mix
- Once mixed, add the homemade szechuan oil or chili sesame oil & mix again.
- Ready to serve (preferably chilled)
- Enjoy!