Plain.Recipes

Asian Noodle Salad

Source: cooking.nytimes.com/recipes/7001

Ingredients

  1. 1 clove garlic, minced
  2. 2 teaspoons minced fresh ginger
  3. 2 scallions, minced
  4. 1 stalk fresh lemongrass, trimmed and minced (about 2 tablespoons)
  5. 5 tablespoons fresh lime juice
  6. 1/4 cup Thai fish sauce or soy sauce
  7. 3 tablespoons honey
  8. 1 tablespoon Vietnamese or Thai chili paste
  9. 1 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper
  10. Salt to taste
  11. 6 ounces Chinese wheat or buckwheat noodles
  12. 1 teaspoon salt
  13. 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  14. 2 cups diced cooked shrimp or lobster (optional)
  15. 2 cups mung bean sprouts
  16. 2 cups shredded Napa cabbage
  17. 2 carrots, cut into matchstick slivers
  18. 1 cucumber, peeled, halved lengthwise, seeded and cut into matchstick slivers
  19. 1/4 cup fresh cilantro leaves, plus 4 whole sprigs for garnish
  20. 1/4 cup fresh Thai or regular basil leaves, cut into slivers
  21. 1/4 cup fresh mint leaves, cut into slivers
  22. 2 jalapeno chilies or to taste, sliced thin
  23. 3 tablespoons chopped dry-roasted peanut

Directions

  1. Combine dressing ingredients in bowl, and whisk until honey dissolves.
  2. Adjust seasoning to taste.
  3. Set aside.
  4. Cook noodles in boiling salted water until tender, about 5 minutes.
  5. Drain in colander, rinse with cold water until cool, and drain.
  6. Place noodles in salad bowl; toss with oil.
  7. Stir in shrimp or lobster (if using), bean sprouts, cabbage, carrots, cucumber, cilantro leaves, basil, mint and half the chilies.
  8. Stir in dressing.
  9. Divide noodles among 4 plates, sprinkle with peanuts, and garnish with reserved chilies and cilantro sprigs.