Food Obsessions! (Asian Noodle Salad)

Ya know what I’ve been obsessed with lately? Fast food.

Don’t freak out.  Here it is…

Doesn’t it just make your mouth water?? I can’t seem to get enough of these Gala apples smothered in natural peanut butter. These apples are so sweet, a perfect partner for the straight-up creamy PB. I’ve sat down to this meal 3 times in the last two days. It is a truly fab “fast food,” giving me protein, healthy fat, fiber, some carb, a lot of crunch, and a little sweet – the perfect combo if you ask me 🙂

This quickie meal allowed me to spend some extended time the other day preparing something Casey requested a few days ago. “Mum,” he asked sweetly (cause that’s his way), “can you make an Asian noodle salad sometime? Or something like that?” This kid has a little obsession of his own — for Asian flavors. We took him to PF Changs for his birthday last year, and that’s all it took. He’s been all about the Asian flavors since then. Potstickers? Yes, please. Sesame ginger salad dressing? Absolutely! So how can I do anything except try to make his Asian noodle salad dreams come true?

It didn’t take long to find Guy Fieri’s Dang Cold Asian Noodle Salad . This guy is fun to watch and listen to. If I had cable, I’d be watching the Food Network, like, all the time. I am obsessed also with the Cake Boss, but thankfully can get my fix through Netflix.

OK, enough about my issues. Back to this delish salad! Here’s what you need to know…

#1 It is beautiful. If you need to impress somebody with your mad kitch’n skillz, then throw this together and stand with your hands on your waist, hip cocked confidently to one side. Cuz you rock and this salad proves it.

#2 It is delicious and hearty. Just ask Casey, who had it after school and for dinner one day, and after school the next. It could easily stand alone as a quick meal of its own.

#3 It’s possible to make it in less time, with fewer ingredients, and for less $$ than I did! I’m gonna give it to you exactly as I made it. But I’ll also include some options you might consider trying to save a little time, as well as to reduce the cost of ingredients. I don’t necessarily mind having various vinegars, sauces, and specialty produce left over, but it was not cheap to buy all that stuff.

Asian Noodle Salad
adapted from Guy Fieri and the Food Network
Serves 8 (as a side)

Salad
1 12-ounce package soba (buckwheat) noodles
1 carrot, julienned
2 celery stalks, julienned
5 green onions, bottom 4 inches, thinly sliced
3/4 cup sliced napa cabbage
1/2 red bell pepper,  julienned
3/4 cup bok choy, julienned
1 cup soybean sprouts
3 tablespoons minced fresh cilantro leaves
3 tablespoons sesame seeds, toasted, for garnish
4 tablespoons unsalted peanuts, for garnish

Dressing
1 teaspoon sesame oil
2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
3 tablespoons less sodium soy sauce
pinch of cayenne pepper
1 tablespoon hoisin sauce
5 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil

Time-saver and $$-saver Options
1) $$-saver: Use either all bok choy or all napa cabbage — your preference. Napa is more cabbage-y; bok choy is milder, like a crunchy romaine.
2) $$-saver: Skip the fresh cilantro – it does not add much in the way of flavor and would not be missed.
3) Time-saver: buy pre-chopped carrots
4) $$-saver and time-saver: Skip the homemade dressing and substitute with 1/2 to 3/4 cup of Ken’s Steakhouse Light Asian Sesame with Ginger and Soy — a slightly heartier version than the mild sesame-soy dressing called for in the recipe.

Directions:
1) Cook soba noodles according to directions on package (typically about 5-6 minutes in salted water). When done cooking, drain immediately and run under very cold water until cool. Or, simply make an ice bath in a large mixing bowl, and submerge the strainer and noodles for a few minutes.
2) While the noodles are cooking, toast the sesame seeds over medium heat in a non-stick pan until golden. This should only take 3-4 minutes – stir occasionally while they’re toasting.
3) Mix together dressing ingredients and set aside
4) Toss the noodles and veggies together with the dressing. Top with the sesame seeds and peanuts.

That’s all there is to it! Now, go ahead and impress someone 🙂