Noodle Salad with Peanut-Lime Vinaigrette

Tracy K's Note:

Recipe from AussieChef at the Fine Cooking board... thanks Aussie! This is a great summer salad, makes an excellent side dish for a picnic, or top with grilled chicken for a simple and delicious main course.

• Total Time: 40 mins
• Prep Time: 30 mins
• Cook Time: 10 mins

Ingredients:

Servings: 4

• 1 lb cooked al dente and cooled thin pasta (that's 1 lb. after cooking)
• 2 -4 scallions , chopped,save some for garnish
• 1 red bell pepper , julienned,save some for garnish
• roasted peanuts , chopped,save all for garnish
• 1 tablespoon black sesame seeds or 1 tablespoon sesame seed , with additional for garnish (optional)

Peanut-Lime Vinaigrette

• 1 tablespoon grated fresh ginger
• 2 cloves garlic , minced
• 1 serrano chili , chopped
• 3 tablespoons fresh cilantro leaves
• 1 ½ tablespoons unsalted creamy peanut butter
• 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
• 1 ½ tablespoons rice vinegar
• 1 ½ tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 ½ teaspoons light brown sugar
• 2⁄3; cup canola oil
• 1 tablespoon sesame oil
• salt

Directions:

1. To make dressing: In a food processor, process everything except the oil.
2. Slowly drizzle in the oil until emulsified.
3. Scrape into a bowl and wait for half an hour for the flavours to develop.
4. To make salad: Toss all together, dress with just enough dressing to moisten and flavor, and garnish with scallions, red bell pepper and peanuts.
5. Serve at room temperature.

Reviews

[AngelicFantasia]

Would it be wrong to drink the vinaigrette? That is how good it is. The flavor combinations are amazing. I made the recipe as written and it turned out perfectly. Thanks for a great receipe. No leftovers....raves from family.

[bratty]

i love this! 5 stars aren't enough in my book. the combination of the flavors was excellant. initially this recipe looks like a lot of ingredients and some prep., but it was really easy. this is a definate keeper, i love pasta, peanut butter, and cilantro....if you do too you can't go wrong with this recipe.

[Bivit]

This was a very good pasta salad, we added matchstick carrots, increased to three serrano peppers and added some red pepper. Myabe it was because we used rice noodles but this dish was MUCH better after a night in the fridge. Next time around I will make it one day ahead of time and double the peanut butter(love that taste!). Thanks for a great recipe, guests loved it but it was amazing at lunch the next day.