I love P.F. Changs.
I try to keep things local and independent, and I do the majority of my Chinese consumption from a local restaurant, but there is something about P.F. Chang’s fried green beans and Chang’s Spicy Chicken that does me in every time.
P.F. Changs is not, however, carb friendly, as most meats are coated in corn starch, which, if you ever make Chinese food at home, is a must do because it makes meat delicious, however, not doable for the whole low carb thing.
They do have one item, however, that is totally low carb, amazing, and also, not on the menu. You have to ask for it specifically, and I am forever grateful to one of my best friends, Heather, for introducing them to me, and then letting me eat them all off her plate.
Shanghai Cucumbers are crazy addicting, and as it turns out, stupid easy to make at home, thank God, because I could eat them by the pound. Seriously, this is one of my favorite low carb snacks, plus they are awesome for lunch or as a side.
Now, P.F. Changs serves a gluten-free version of these, this recipe is not gluten free, but could easily be by using gluten free soy sauce.
Tip: these are best served cold, so if you are making them to devour right away, keep your cucumber in the fridge. Or make them ahead of time and let the sauce soak in, they just get better with time!
What you’ll need:
1 Large English Cucumber
3 tbsp Soy Sauce
1 tsp Rice Wine Vinegar (White or Apple Cider will work also)
1/2 tsp Sesame Oil
1/2 tsp Toasted Sesame Seeds
1. Mix the soy sauce, vinegar and sesame oil together in a bowl.
2. Slice up the cucumbers and add them to the bowl, toss to mix.
3. Sprinkle with sesame seeds before serving!
4. Eat them all.
For more low carb menu ideas, click here and here!
have you ever had “honest to G-d” Chinese pickles? life changing. they add chili sauce (sambal) to them. zomg.
So, I’m doing the whole no/low carb(because there are carbs in broccoli, and imma eat it anyway) thing, too. I’ve been experimenting with recipes, and seafood seems to work the best. Have you tried steamed clams yet? In white wine and butter? ZOMG amazing.
My mom makes those all the time! Except she slices the cucumber really thin, which I love since they get super coated in the vinegary goodness.
These sound delicious!!! AND, I bet even my kids will eat them (if they are quick enough!!)
Why oh why did I see this AFTER getting home from a huge ass grocery store run. Dangit girl, I gotta go back!
Oh my Lord. I just made these.
Twice.
I do cucumbers with rice wine vinegar all the time, but this sounds even better! I will definitely give it a try soon. I am in love with the bags of mini cucumbers from Sam’s. They aren’t as watery so they stay fresh longer and I think they taste better. We have been doing low-carb for exactly one week and I’m almost out of all of my vegetables!
Was going to make a copy of the recipe but your site won’t let me, hope I remember this one it sounds good!
Ooh, these look like the perfect snack. Giving them a try today!
Honestly, Brittany, I’m 98% sure you just want to embarrass people by sending them to the store to buy one large cucumber. Buying a single phallic fruit or veggie always ends up with me over explaining to the cashier that is indeed for eating purposes only.
Does P.F. Chang’s count as local if I live in the same city as its corporate headquarters?
Made them today – best and easiest snack ever! Thanks!
I totally went home and made these last night…they are AMAZING. I made them again for my snack today, and will likely make them again tonight. Great–a new food addicton–thanks a lot! :-)
THESE ARE AMAZING!!!! Just made a batch (triple) last night for the first time…yeah…dinner, breakfast and brought some for lunch today…so good!!!! So addicitive!!