It's been a crazy summer, am I right? In fact it's been a rather crazy year. Life continues to be a roller coaster. So what to do when everything is getting to be too much? Go into the kitchen and cook yourself some dinner. Sitting down together with those you love and enjoying some good food and conversation is always an excellent way to spend the evening while relaxing and decompressing with the fam. Even when life is busy and hectic, don't skip dinner with your family - it's an important time. This is a delicious lunch or dinner salad that I find especially refreshing in the summertime, and can be pretty much a one-dish meal. You can use either chicken or shrimp (or leave it vegetarian - add some sliced red peppers, cucumbers, shredded carrots, cabbage, etc). It's also lovely with peanuts (and you can whisk a little peanut butter into the dressing). As you can see, there are many possibilities. Enjoy!
ASIAN NOODLE SALAD WITH CHICKEN and SNOW PEAS
2 packages (3 ounces each) Ramen Noodles, chicken flavor
4 boneless/skinless chicken tenderloin strips or 16 medium shrimp, peeled and cleaned
1 teaspoon light oil
3 teaspoons sesame seeds
½ cup fresh snow peas, ends trimmed and cut in half
4 boneless/skinless chicken tenderloin strips or 16 medium shrimp, peeled and cleaned
1 teaspoon light oil
3 teaspoons sesame seeds
½ cup fresh snow peas, ends trimmed and cut in half
¼ cup thinly sliced red onion
Dressing:
2 tablespoons light oil
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
½ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon black pepper
Break ramen noodles into small pieces. Discard or reserve seasoning packets for a future use. Cook ramen noodles in boiling water until tender. Drain, remove to a large mixing bowl to cool.
In a small non-stick skillet, sauté chicken or shrimp in oil until cooked through, seasoning with salt & pepper. Dice or shred chicken into small pieces. Combine noodles, chicken, sesame seeds, snow peas, and onions. Stir to combine.
Combine dressing ingredients in a pint jar with a tight-fitting lid; shake well to combine. Stir dressing into salad. Chill until ready to serve.
Dressing:
2 tablespoons light oil
1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
½ teaspoon ground ginger
¼ teaspoon black pepper
Break ramen noodles into small pieces. Discard or reserve seasoning packets for a future use. Cook ramen noodles in boiling water until tender. Drain, remove to a large mixing bowl to cool.
In a small non-stick skillet, sauté chicken or shrimp in oil until cooked through, seasoning with salt & pepper. Dice or shred chicken into small pieces. Combine noodles, chicken, sesame seeds, snow peas, and onions. Stir to combine.
Combine dressing ingredients in a pint jar with a tight-fitting lid; shake well to combine. Stir dressing into salad. Chill until ready to serve.
"Tell me what you eat, and I'll tell you who you are." —Anthelme Brillat-Savarin
"Food is an important part of a balanced diet." —Fran Lebowitz
"It's difficult to think anything but pleasant thoughts while eating a home-grown tomato." —Lewis Grizzard
