Thai Inspired Noodle Salad Food

THAI NOODLE SALAD

Steps:

• Bring a large pot of lightly salted water to a boil. Break pasta into small pieces and add to boiling water; cook for 8 to 10 minutes or until al dente; drain. In a large bowl, toss together the pasta, cabbage, carrots, green, red and yellow bell peppers, 1/2 of the cilantro, 1/2 of the onions, and shrimp.
• In a small bowl, stir together the peanut butter, tahini, rice wine vinegar and sweet chile sauce. Season with soy sauce, sesame oil, brown sugar, garlic powder, salt and pepper. Ten minutes before serving, toss the sauce with the cabbage mixture until evenly coated. Garnish with remaining cilantro, green onions, peanuts and black sesame seeds.

THAI-INSPIRED NOODLE SALAD

Steps:

• In a large pot, cook soba noodles according to package directions. Drain, rinse noodles with cold water, and set aside.
• Pour sesame oil, rice vinegar, soy sauce, and lime juice into a large bowl. Mix in lime zest, brown sugar, garlic, and red pepper flakes; stir until sugar dissolves. Toss in carrots, cilantro, and peanuts.
• Cut noodles into 3-inch lengths. Stir into dressing mixture. Cover, and refrigerate at least 1 hour.
• Toss salad again before serving. If dry, splash with soy sauce and vinegar. Serve cold.

THAI NOODLE SALAD WITH PEANUT SAUCE

Steps:

• Drain and cool the noodles: Transfer to a colander, drain, and rinse with cool water until noodles are cold. Allow to drain well until ready to add to the salad. If noodles stick together, rinse them in cool water to separate.
• Combine the salad: Add the rice noodles to the bowl with the vegetables, herbs, and peanuts. Pour half of the dressing over the salad.
• Serve: Garnish salad with additional cilantro leaves, green onions, and chopped peanuts. Serve the remaining dressing on the side.

COLD THAI NOODLE SALAD

Steps:

• Cook noodles al dente (do not overcook - mushy noodles won't work).
• Strain and rinse under cold water until cooled.
• Mix or wisk together all "dressing" ingredients (peanut butter through garlic power)until blended.
• In large bowl stir together noodles, 2/3 sauce (reserve 1/3 for later), and vegetables (reserve 1/2 chopped greens from green onion).
• Chill minimum 2 hours.
• Transfer to a bowl or platter, if you you want.
• Before serving pour reserved "dressing" over noodles.
• Sprinkle sesame seeds and reserved green onions (and cilantro if used).

THAI RICE NOODLE SALAD

Steps:

• Place the noodles and beansprouts in a heatproof bowl and cover with boiling water. Leave for 4 mins, or until the noodles are tender. Drain, then cool under cold running water and drain again. Return to the bowl.
• Stir together the lime zest and juice, fish or soy sauce and sugar. Stir into the noodles with the red onion and lettuce.
• To make with mince, heat a little oil in a non-stick frying pan and stir-fry 500g minced pork, a small knob of grated ginger and pinch cayenne pepper or chilli powder for 10 mins, until the mince is browned and cooked through. Mix into the noodles, divide between four bowls and serve warm.
• To make with steak, make the rice noodle salad. Heat 1 tsp sunflower oil in a frying pan. Tip 2 tbsp sesame seeds onto a plate. Rub 1 tsp oil into 4 x 175g sirloin steaks and press into sesame seeds. Fry for 5 mins for medium rare, turning halfway. Leave to rest for 5 mins, then thinly slice. Toss 1 deseeded and shredded red chilli, and a handful mint leaves into noodles. Top with steak to serve.