Asian Noodle Salad

SALAD INGREDIENTS:

1 packages linguine noodles, cooked, rinsed, and cooled

1/2 to 1 head sliced Napa cabbage
1/2 to 1 head sliced purple cabbage
1/2 to 1 bag baby spinach
1 red bell pepper, sliced thin
1 yellow bell pepper, sliced thin
1 orange bell pepper, sliced thin (if available)
1 small bag bean sprouts (also called “mung bean sprouts”)
3 sliced scallions
3 peeled, sliced cucumbers (I didn’t have a cucumber for the photos above, but they’re yummy in the salad)
LOTS of chopped cilantro—up to one bunch
1 can whole cashews, lightly toasted in skillet (again, I didn’t have them for the photos, but have used them before and they’re…sublime.)

DRESSING:

Juice of 1 lime
8 tablespoons olive oil
2 tablespoons sesame oil
6 tablespoons soy sauce
1/3 cup brown sugar
3 tablespoons fresh ginger, chopped
2 cloves chopped garlic
2 hot peppers or jalapenos, chopped
More chopped cilantro—LOTS

Mix together salad ingredients. Whisk together dressing ingredients and pour over salad. Mix with tongs or hands and serve on platter.
*Dressing keeps up to three days before serving, WITHOUT cilantro.

THAI PEANUT SAUCE:

1 Tbsp minced garlic*
2Tbsp minced cilantro*
1 Tbsp minced mint*
2 Tbsp sugar
1/2 to 1 Tbsp red pepper flakes (start conservatively)
~1/3 cup peanut butter (chunky is great, but smooth is fine too)
1-2 Tbsp oriental fish sauce (start conservatively)
1/4 cup soy sauce
3 Tbsp honey, plus extra as needed
up to 1/2 pint cream

• Combine all ingredients except honey and cream.
• Add honey and cream (start with 1/4 pint) to taste, to cut the saltiness, and reach desired texture.

Makes about 2 1/2 cups of sauce

Can be made a day or two ahead of time.

*For quick mincing, put garlic, cilantro and mint in a food processor (basil also works well as a substitute or as an addition)

NOTE:I found the salad recipe on thepioneerwomancooks.com and really, really liked it. I added grilled chicken and served it with a Thai Peanut Sauce and made it a main dish salad. It makes a huge batch, so I would consider making it for a gathering, or else splitting some of the ingredients with someone.