Thursday, August 25, 2011

Asian Noodle Salad

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Yes, I am still here.

I cannot tell you how much I miss my blog, and all the blogs of my fellow food bloggers, when I am not able to sit down at the computer for extended periods of time! Things are going to be a little different around here for a while. Work has gotten busier, the house hunt is still on, which I'm sure will be followed by the craziness of moving. I have decided that while I still will blog, it will be less frequent. I am also going to try to visit as many blogs as possible in the midst of all this.

Thanks to all those who left me encouraging comments on my previous post. I really appreciate the comments, and all the positive wishes you all sent me! As I mentioned in that post, I do know that God has a better place in store for us, and I am not too worried about it! Now that I'm over the initial shock and the panic attack, I'm actually starting to look forward to a new environment, and I am excited about kinda setting up home all over again. My little girl will have new places to explore, and I am praying I will have a beautiful, and bigger kitchen. That's not a too much to hope for - if you knew how small my present kitchen is, you would understand. :)
Here is something I made a while ago. I had been wanting to try the popular peanut butter dressings for noodles for a long time. I combined a few recipes and added my own spin on the whole thing. On top of everything, I was feeling very pleased with myself for making the noodles from scratch using a borrowed pasta maker. I made a basic whole wheat egg pasta dough, and it was super silky, and really tasty.

Before I get into the recipe, please note that this is more a guide than a recipe. You might have to make adjustments based on your personal taste.

Asian Noodle Salad
Ingredients
250g whole wheat linguini/spaghetti/noodles, cooked al dente
1/4 cup smooth peanut butter
2 tbsp dark soy sauce
2 tbsp honey
1 tsp (more or less, depending on taste) hot sauce
1 tbsp apple cider vinegar
1 tbsp melted butter
1 tsp sesame oil
1/2 cup shredded vegetables (I used mostly carrots & some cabbage)
1/2 cup bean sprouts
1/2 cup cook broccoli florets
1 red onion, sliced thin
3 tbsp toasted sesame seeds, plus extra for garnish.

Method
1. In large bowl, combine all the ingredients except the noodles, the shredded vegetables, the sprouts, the broccoli, the onion and the sesame seeds.
2. Mix well, and taste. Adjust seasoning, adding more soy, vinegar, hot sauce or honey as desired.
3. Reserve about 1/3 of this dressing in a small bowl.
4. Into the remaining dressing in the large bowl, stir in the noodles, sliced onion, sprouts, broccoli and shredded vegetables. Stir lightly to coat everything.
5. If desired add the reserved dressing, or just keep it aside to drizzle over the salad on each person's plate.
6. Stir in the sesame seeds, and serve garnished with more toasted sesame seeds, and the reserved dressing.
Personally, I was quite pleased with this dish, and my little girl ate it without a fuss too. My husband complained it tasted too 'vegetable-ly'! I found that a strange thing because he usually loves his vegetables. It turned out he wasn't too fond of the sprouts in there. Of course, because I can see the future, I anticipated this would happen, and made one of his favorite chicken dishes to go on the side.
For the side salad for this salad, I just sliced up some fresh tomato, and drizzled over some olive oil, balsamic vinegar, and seasoned it with salt and pepper. It was a delicious and light accompaniment to the noodles. At least I thought so. My husband detests tomatoes, and so he wouldn't even try the salad. He was really grateful for the chicken on his plate. I will share the chicken recipe another time. It is a simple but really popular dish among my family and friends.

Thanks to all those of you who keep visiting even though I've been so bad at visiting your sites these last few weeks. I hope to be back in a couple of months when we've settled into our new place. Until then, I will try to post a new recipe at least once in two weeks! Thanks for being such awesome peeps! :)
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25 comments:

Lynne @ 365 Days of Baking said...

Completely understand how hectic schedules can be and it's family that comes first.  Your blog and all of your readers will be here waiting for you whenever you're ready.  I can't wait to hear the progress and the great news about a new home!
The salad looks delicious!  I LOVE peanut sauce on noodles, so I'll have to make this very soon!

Liz said...

I love these types of noodle salads...and yours looks fabulous chock full of veggies.  My hubby would not be thrilled  if he saw sprouts, so I have to be pretty mainstream with my veggies.   SO good to see a post from you...I hope you find the perfect home very soon!  xo

Kitchen Belleicious said...

This looks FABULOUS and we are so alike as far as preparing for our husband's possible response to dishes. I would have had his favorite chicken or seafood dish ready to in the event he didn't care for the veggies. I for one love this dish full of delicious veggies and flavors and can't wait to try it out. I am praying that the Lord will provide you an amazing house, on that you feel at home in and that it will happen easier than you can imagine. He has a plan, just trust in him

Amy Tiffanie said...

UM AWESOME RECIPE!!!!!!!! No more Lipton's Asian Creations now that I have this! I love vegetables so no complaints on my end there!

Briarrose said...

Such a pretty dish.  Beautiful job.  Love the mix of flavors....especially the peanut butter...I just can't get enough of that.

Kimby said...

So glad things are all right, even though hectic.  A blessing.  Don't know what's up with this "busy"-ness, but I've been missing my blog buddies lately, too, and commenting far less often than I'd like!  Thank you for taking the time to write again, in spite of everything you've had thrown at you.

A side note... I contacted a friend in Singapore to see if she had a recipe for you tiao.  Hope she will be in touch with you soon.  The benefits of comfort food are long lasting! :)

In Katrina's Kitchen said...

We all need to remember to leave space in our lives. Take care! :)

Ann said...

This looks fabulous!  I hope you're able to find the balance you need...

Nami | Just One Cookbook said...

Hi Marsha!  It must be quite overwhelming with some changes in life, but I hope you are doing okay.  You will find the time later to enjoy bloggingg. :-)  What a delicious salad and I love the seasonings you used.  Good luck with everything!  One step at a time. :-)

Kristen said...

I had to go back and read your last post. So sorry you have to find a new place after living there so long. My fingers are crossed for you that you find a great place soon.

That salad looks so tempting. You have combined some of my favorite flavors here.

Frugal Antics said...

So sorry to hear that you have to find a new place after living there so long.  My fingers are crossed that you find a great new place soon. 

That salad sounds so delicious.  You have combined some of my favorite flavors in it.

Amanda said...

yum!

Magic of Spice said...

This looks delicious! I know you are going to find a wonderful place and make it your own...hope things smooth out for you soon :)

sarah@Spinach&Spice said...

I've been CRAVING peanut sauce and noodles lately.. you read my mind girl!

Julie S said...

Those noodles look delicious, and I'm quite interested in that chicken as well.  Do you have that recipe on your site?  thanks

FreeSpiritEater said...

Mmmmm, I haven't had an Asian Noodle salad in forever! Well at least I have a great recipe now! Thanks so much for sharing! And don't worry about not being able to write as often as you'd like, I find myself with the same dilemma at times, but we understand! We still love you! By the way, I have a blog award waiting for you! =] http://www.freespiriteater.com/2011/08/blog-awards-winners-and-awful-band.html

Carolyn said...

I know that you will find a wonderful place that is just right for all of you...with a big kitchen so you can dish up wonderful meals like this one and keep blogging about it!

Jackie Hale said...

I love visiting you. Love to see pictures of the delicious food you cook and honestly, I know that you will find a great place to live and fill it with wonderful memories. Your daughter will certainly love the excitement and adventure of exploring new places. Blogging is and can be a full time job so take it easy and remember we are with you in thought and prayer. xo Jackie

Jill @ Dulce Dough said...

Best of luck to you as you look for a new home. 
Your recipe looks wonderful!

Sandra's Easy Cooking said...

I wish you well my friend, hope you will find the place, and relax soon!
Your dish today look very happy and colorful..I like noodles prepared this way! You done it well!!! Take care of yourself..

hugs

Annalizrecipes said...

i love noodle salads!! this looks so tastful!thanks:)

elisabeth@foodandthrift said...

Hi Marsha-sometimes it's good to find a new place...a new environment, I am certain that you will find just the perfect home, and location with an ideal kitchen. In the meantime, we are all here waiting for you to post something from your new kitchen, and I really appreciate all your previous beautiful posts, photos, and recipes. I love your noodle salad, isn't there something about a touch of that cider vinegar that balances out the sauce?...wow! such a coincidence, because I also use it and believe in it for a tasty sauce.
I'm bookmarking to copy and print this out because your sauce is even better than mine...love the sesame seeds, as well!
Take care, and don't over do any work:DDD
Hugs,

Roxana GreenGirl said...

Hi Marsha, 
I wish you all the best in finding the perfect house with a big kitchen and lots of room for Aimee to run around! Just like you said, moving doesn't always mean a bad thing. I'm already excited for you to read all about the new place! 
Even tho I'm pretty slow at catching up with my favorite blogs while I'm in Romania, i'm still gonna come and read and drool over your delicious recipes. 
Until next time, sending you lots of hugs 

SpicieFoodie said...

Hi Marsha, I am sending you my very best wishes on finding a new house and for a smooth move. I say house because remember home is where your heart is and as long as you have your family you can turn any house into a home. The noodle salad looks spectacular! Will have to give it a try soon. 
Thank you for your sweet comment and well wishes. Remember to hug, squeeze and love your little fur baby everyday. 

Revat said...

nice article

check my article too about noodles
Bali Islands
Asian Noodle

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