Sweet and Spicy Cucumber Salad

Our usual way of eating a cucumber is to smother it in Ranch dressing.  That's okay, but pretty boring.  I decided to make a sweet and spicy dressing out of ingredients I already had on hand.  I'm surprised at how delicious these come out.  My husband is not a fan of cucumbers normally, but even he loved these.  This is a salad that takes a little time due to salting and then marinating, but it is well worth it, trust me.

SWEET AND SPICY CUCUMBER SALAD

1-1/2 lbs cucumber, peeled, halved lengthwise, seeds removed, & thinly sliced
2 tsp salt
1/2 c rice vinegar
1/2 c water
3 Tbs sugar
1/4 tsp crushed red pepper
2 Tbs minced sweet yellow onion

Place cucumber slices in a colander, sprinkle with salt and toss well.  Let sit for 1 hour in the sink.  Also, toss the cucumbers a few times while they drain.  While cucumber slices are draining, prepare marinade below.

Combine vinegar, water, sugar and crushed red pepper in a small saucepan; bring to a boil. Reduce heat, cook until reduced to a 1/3 cup (about 10 minutes).  Remove reduction from heat and add onion.  Let mixture cool to room temp.

When cucumbers are done resting, pat them dry with a few paper towels and then combine with the vinegar reduction.

This can be served immediately, but for best results refrigerate until well chilled.