Japanese Cucumber Salad with Sesame-Miso Dressing

• 1/3 cup Japanese sesame paste or tahini
• 3 tablespoons brown rice miso (see Note)
• 3 tablespoons white miso (see Note)
• 3 tablespoons mirin
• 2 tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• 1/3 cup pine nuts
• 12 ounces Japanese, Persian or kirby cucumbers, halved lengthwise and sliced crosswise 3/4 inch thick
• Kosher salt
• 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 2 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds

1. In a blender or food processor, blend the sesame paste, brown rice and white misos, mirin, vinegar and sesame oil until smooth.
2. Transfer the miso dressing to a jar and refrigerate until chilled, at least 15 minutes.
3. Meanwhile, in a small skillet, toast the pine nuts over moderate heat, shaking the pan, until the nuts are golden, about 5 minutes.
4. Transfer to a plate and let cool.
5. In a medium bowl, sprinkle the cucumbers with salt and refrigerate for 10 minutes.
6. Add the lemon juice, olive oil and 1/4 cup of the miso dressing (reserve the rest for another use) and toss well.
7. Garnish with the pine nuts and sesame seeds and serve.

japanese sesame paste, brown rice, white miso, mirin, rice vinegar, sesame oil, pine nuts, japanese, kosher salt, lemon juice, extravirgin olive oil, sesame seeds

Taken from www.foodandwine.com/recipes/japanese-cucumber-salad-with-sesame-miso-dressing (may not work)