Shirataki Yam Noodles: Noodle Salad Recipe (+ Giveaway)

Similar to tofu, shirataki noodles can look and taste pretty bland on their own. When I received the package from AsianFoodGrocer.com, I knew I had to enhance the flavor with a sauce. I made a peanut salad dressing that I've used often to flavor tofu, but this time I made it with oyster sauce, miso paste and hot sauce. I added colors to the noodle salad with red bell pepper, pickled garlic, cilantro and green onions. I topped the salad with crushed nori, for a briny flavor and  also sesame seeds and crushed peanuts for texture. We eat with our eyes first, and I think the dark color of the bowl serves as a very attractive contrast to the noodles.

The noodles themselves are very healthy (almost no calories, gluten and cholesterol free). So if you're looking for a light meal, this recipe might be it!

Cold Pasta Salad Recipe

Cold pasta salad is usually made with mayonnaise dressing. One member of my family is allergic to eggs, so this recipe suits her perfectly; as no eggs are used. Even though there are no eggs, I wanted the dressing to be creamy and flavorful, so I mixed in goat cheese with the usual vinaigrette ingredients. For a little extra kick, I added onions cooked down in white balsamic vinegar.

I used cork-screw-shaped pasta, but any other shape such as bowties, shells or penne would work as well. In addition to the diced tomatoes and steamed zucchini, I added black lentils and pan-seared tofu to give this vegetarian pasta dish some protein. Cooking does not always have to be complicated. If you have fresh ingredients and a lot of love, you’ll have a wonderful meal. Bon appétit!
 

Beet Orzo Pasta Salad Recipe

Orzo salad is an easy one-dish, summertime meal. You could add anything you like, so you can adapt the recipe to fit whatever you find at the market. The most labor intensive work involved in preparing the salad is chopping all the ingredients. For this version, I added cherry tomatoes, broccoli, sugar snap peas, pickled carrots and canned black beans. The main event though, was the addition of the roasted beets. I prepped them in the morning and let them cool to room temperature.

We spent a very low-key, relaxing weekend and I didn't feel like cooking a ton, raising the temperature in the kitchen with the stove and oven during the afternoon, as the temperature got higher. This cold pasta dish was light, complete but still flavorful, and we got to enjoy it by the scoopful in our garden.

Cold Rice Salad with Papaya

We finally have beautiful sunshine in the Bay Area. We've been waiting for the sun for so long that today, in honor of our quite overdue patron of summer, I prepared a dish that is refreshing, healthy and flavorful.

Specifically, I made a cold rice and papaya salad. I boiled brown rice, and mixed in vegetables, steamed lentils, lime juice, ginger and fresh papaya. The key to good rice salad is to have a homogeneous mixture. All the ingredients should be cut the same size. The other factor for a good salad in general is a flavorful dressing. I met that requirement with a sweet and spicy papaya ginger dressing.

This version is vegetarian, but you could also finish the salad with grilled jumbo shrimp in shells or grilled chicken breasts. Also, I served it in tea cups. For an original presentation, you could serve it in papaya halves. Here comes the sun!

Asian Noodle Salad with Peanut Salad Dressing

We went to a potluck this weekend, and I brought along an Asian-inspired salad. I wanted to serve it as a main dish, so I made a pasta salad loaded with tofu and vegetables. But instead of using regular pasta, I used thin egg noodles. I mixed a myriad of vegetables such as crimini mushrooms, baby zucchini, cauliflower, bok choy, sugar snap peas and pickled red peppers with fried, cubed tofu. To finish the dish, I covered it in a delicious peanut dressing made of peanut butter, chili garlic sauce, sugar cane vinegar and ponzu soy sauce.

This cold Asian noodle salad can be prepared hours in advance, making it perfect for picnics and potlucks. Just leave the peanut salad dressing on the side and mix right before serving.