Crisp & Spicy Cucumber Salad

Ingredients

• 2 small English cucumbers, thinly sliced
• 2 medium carrots, thinly sliced
• 1 large sweet red pepper, julienned
• 1/2 medium red onion, thinly sliced
• 2 green onions, sliced
• 1/2 serrano or jalapeno pepper, seeded and thinly sliced, optional
• 
  MARINADE:
  
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup rice vinegar
• 1/3 cup water
• 1 teaspoon each salt, garlic powder and pepper
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon reduced-sodium soy sauce
• 1 small garlic clove, minced
• 1/2 teaspoon minced fresh gingerroot
• 1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper, optional
• Optional toppings: minced fresh cilantro, chopped peanuts and additional sliced green onion