Marinated Cucumber and Sesame Salad

Begin by toasting the sesame seeds.

Do this by using a small, solid frying pan, pre-heat it over a medium heat, then add the sesame seeds and toast them, moving them around in the pan to brown them evenly. As soon as they begin to splutter and pop and turn golden, they're ready. This will take about 1-2 minutes. Then remove them from the frying pan to a plate.

Next, cut the cucumber in half lengthways, then in quarters and then in eighths. Remove the seeds, chop into small, 1½ inch (4 cm) wedges, then place them in a bowl.

After that, measure the soy sauce, mirin, saké, rice vinegar and sugar into a screw-top jar, shake them together thoroughly, then pour them over the cucumber and leave to marinate for about 1 hour, giving them one good stir at half-time. Just before serving, lightly crush the toasted sesame seeds with a pestle and mortar and sprinkle them over the salad.