It's springtime, and I am so done with heavy foods. Aren't you? Belly-filling, bone-warming foods are great when it's chilly outside, but when it gets warm, you don't want to be bogged down like that ... or, at least I don't.
In any case, this salad/lunch is perfect for when you want something lighter.
I started working on this recipe a few weeks ago, and it's quickly become a go-to lunch for me. It's light, satisfying and so wonderfully spring-y. I adore rice noodles, seasoned rice vinegar, sesame ... basically all the flavors in this ... so it's something that just makes me happy to eat. Shouldn't food make you happy? I think so.
Yield: 4 servings
Cucumber and Carrot Salad with Seasoned Rice Noodles
Ingredients
Salad
- 1 English cucumber, (this is a very long variety)
- 1 teaspoon kosher salt
- 3 carrots
- 2 tablespoon seasoned rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dark sesame oil
- 1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
Noodles
- 1 package rice vermicelli noodles
- 2 tablespoon seasoned rice vinegar
- 1 teaspoon dark sesame oil
- ½ teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 tablespoon low-sodium soy sauce
Instructions
- Cut the cucumber into ultra-thin slices (I use my food processor to get them paper thin). Toss cucumber slices with salt and let sit for 20 minutes. Drain well, squeezing gently to remove any excess water.
- Peel the carrots and shred (again, I use my food processor for this -- it makes it so much easier).
- In a large bowl, combine the cucumber slices, carrots, seasoned rice vinegar, dark sesame oil and toasted sesame seeds. Toss well to combine.
- Now, prepare the rice noodles. Cook the rice vermicelli noodles according to package directions. Once cooked, rinse with cold water and let fully drain.
- In a large bowl, combine the rice noodles, seasoned rice vinegar, dark sesame oil, ground ginger, garlic powder and soy sauce. Toss until fully coated.
- Divide among four plates and top with Cucumber and Carrot Salad (above).
Oh wow, I love the cucumbers in this dish. Delicious and healthy!
.-= Sook´s last blog ..Welcome! And a few guidelines.. =-.
This is a great light dish. It looks beautiful and I can only imagine how great it tastes! Yum!!!
I have recently rediscovered rice vinegar. It is such a fabulous but under-used ingredient! Your salad looks delish!
.-= Donna´s last blog ..Can’t roll sushi? No problem! Try Our California Roll Cold Rice Salad =-.