🥗 Asian Sesame Noodle Salad With Peanut Dressing (Vegetarian) 🥜
Overview:
Asian Sesame Noodle Salad is a delicious and refreshing dish that combines various flavors and textures. This vegetarian recipe is known for its tantalizing blend of fresh vegetables, tender noodles, and a rich peanut dressing. It’s popular for its fusion of Asian and Western culinary influences.
History:
The exact origin of this dish is not well-documented, but it likely emerged in the late 20th century as people began to explore and appreciate Asian cuisine outside its native regions. Asian-inspired salads with peanut dressing have gained widespread popularity due to their delightful taste and healthy ingredients.
Components:
- Noodles: Usually, thin noodles like rice vermicelli or soba noodles are used.
- Vegetables: You can customize this to your preference, but commonly used ingredients include bell peppers, cucumber, carrot, red cabbage, and scallions.
- Protein (optional): Tofu, tempeh, or edamame can be added for extra protein.
- Sauce/Dressing: The star of the show! The peanut dressing typically consists of peanut butter, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, ginger, garlic, and a sweetener like honey or maple syrup.
- Garnishes: You can top it with sesame seeds, chopped peanuts, cilantro, or lime wedges for extra flavor and visual appeal.
Preparation Steps:
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Cook Noodles: Boil the noodles according to the package instructions. Rinse them under cold water to stop the cooking process. Drain and set aside.
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Prepare Vegetables: Slice the vegetables thinly or julienne them for a visually appealing salad. You can also blanch the veggies briefly for a tender-crisp texture.
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Make Peanut Dressing: In a bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, sesame oil, rice vinegar, grated ginger, minced garlic, and your choice of sweetener until smooth. Adjust the ingredients to taste.
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Assemble the Salad: Toss the cooked noodles, sliced vegetables, and protein (if using) together in a large bowl.
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Add Dressing: Pour the peanut dressing over the salad and toss to coat everything evenly.
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Chill: Refrigerate the salad for at least 30 minutes to allow the flavors to meld and the salad to cool.
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Garnish: Before serving, sprinkle sesame seeds, chopped peanuts, and fresh cilantro over the salad. Squeeze lime wedges for an extra zing.
Preparation Time:
- The time needed to prepare this salad can vary, but on average, it takes approximately 30-45 minutes.
- This includes cooking noodles, chopping vegetables, making the dressing, and allowing the salad to chill.
Enjoy your delightful Asian Sesame Noodle Salad with Peanut Dressing! 🍜🥜🥗😋
Certainly! Here are the approximate nutrition facts and some health information for a serving of Asian Sesame Noodle Salad with Peanut Dressing. Please note that these values can vary based on specific ingredients and portion sizes:
Nutrition Facts (per serving, approximate):
- Calories: 350-400 calories
- Protein: 10-15 grams
- Carbohydrates: 45-55 grams
- Dietary Fiber: 3-5 grams
- Sugars: 8-10 grams
- Fat: 15-20 grams
- Saturated Fat: 2-4 grams
- Sodium: 400-600 mg
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
- Vitamins and Minerals: The salad is a good source of various vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin A, vitamin C, vitamin K, and potassium. It also provides some healthy fats and protein.
Health Information:
- Protein: The tofu or edamame in the salad can add plant-based protein, making this dish suitable for vegetarians and vegans.
- Fiber: The vegetables and noodles provide dietary fiber, which is beneficial for digestion and can help you feel full and satisfied.
- Healthy Fats: The peanut dressing contains healthy monounsaturated fats from peanut butter and polyunsaturated fats from sesame oil. These fats are heart-healthy and can aid in nutrient absorption.
- Vitamins and Minerals: The salad is rich in vitamins and minerals, especially vitamin C from vegetables, which is essential for a healthy immune system.
- Sodium: Be mindful of the sodium content, especially in the soy sauce. You can choose low-sodium soy sauce to reduce your salt intake.
- Calories: This salad can be a filling meal on its own, but portion control is important if you are watching your calorie intake.
Overall, this salad is a nutritious choice with a balance of carbohydrates, protein, and healthy fats. It’s a great way to incorporate more vegetables and plant-based protein into your diet while enjoying a delicious meal.
