Thai-style Pasta Salad

Thai-style Pasta Salad Recipe with Snow Peas and Chinese Noodles

Region / culture: China | Preparation time: 20 minutes | Cooking time: 10 minutes | Servings: 4

Introduction

This Thai-style Pasta Salad is a refreshing and flavorful dish that combines the vibrant flavors of Thai cuisine with the comfort of pasta. The crunchy vegetables, tender noodles, and creamy peanut dressing come together to create a delicious and satisfying meal.

History

Thai-style Pasta Salad is a fusion dish that takes inspiration from traditional Thai flavors and ingredients. The combination of noodles, vegetables, and a peanut dressing is a popular choice in Thai cuisine, and this recipe puts a unique twist on the classic flavors.

Ingredients

4 oz (113 g) snow peas, strings removed
0.5 lb (227 g) chinese noodles
1 (8 oz (227 g)) pkg. coleslaw
5 radishes, trimmed and thinly sliced
2 tomatoes, cut into wedges
1 small kirby cucumber, peeled and julienned
1 cup mung bean sprouts
0.33 cup thinly sliced red onion

Dressing

0.25 cup natural peanut butter
3 tbsp water
1 tbsp fresh lime juice
1 tbsp distilled white vinegar
1 tbsp Asian (dark) sesame oil
2 tbsp vegetable oil
1 tbsp low-sodium soy sauce
1 tsp sugar
0.5 tsp salt
0.5 tsp crushed red pepper flakes

How to prepare

Dressing

In a medium bowl, whisk together all dressing ingredients.
Set aside.

Salad

Bring a large saucepan of lightly salted water to a boil.
Add snow peas and cook for 1 minute.
Using a slotted spoon, remove the snow peas to a colander.
Drain, rinse under cold water, and drain again.
Add noodles to the boiling water and cook according to the package directions.
Drain, reserving 0.5 cup of the cooking liquid.
Pat the snow peas dry.
Cut the snow peas into thirds on a diagonal.
In a large serving bowl, combine the noodles and enough reserved cooking liquid to moisten.
Add the snow peas, 0.33 cup of dressing, coleslaw, radishes, tomatoes, cucumber, sprouts, and onion, and toss to mix.
Serve the remaining dressing on the side.

Variations

Add cooked shrimp or chicken for a protein boost.
Swap out the noodles for rice noodles or spiralized vegetables for a gluten-free option.
Add chopped peanuts or cashews for extra crunch and flavor.

Cooking Tips & Tricks

Be sure to cook the noodles according to the package directions to ensure they are perfectly tender.

- When cutting the snow peas, slice them on a diagonal for a visually appealing presentation.

- Reserve some of the cooking liquid from the noodles to moisten the salad and prevent it from drying out.

- Toss the salad gently to ensure all the ingredients are evenly coated in the dressing.

Serving Suggestions

This Thai-style Pasta Salad can be served as a main dish for a light lunch or dinner. It can also be served as a side dish alongside grilled chicken or tofu for a more substantial meal.

Cooking Techniques

Boil the snow peas briefly to blanch them and retain their vibrant green color.

- Toss the noodles with the reserved cooking liquid to prevent them from sticking together.

- Cut the vegetables into uniform sizes for even distribution in the salad.

Ingredient Substitutions

Use almond butter or sunflower seed butter as a substitute for peanut butter.

- Substitute rice vinegar for the white vinegar for a milder flavor.

- Use tamari or coconut aminos in place of soy sauce for a gluten-free option.

Make Ahead Tips

This Thai-style Pasta Salad can be made ahead of time and stored in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Keep the dressing separate until ready to serve to prevent the salad from becoming soggy.

Presentation Ideas

Garnish the Thai-style Pasta Salad with fresh cilantro, chopped peanuts, and a wedge of lime for a beautiful presentation. Serve it in a large bowl or on individual plates for a colorful and appetizing dish.

Pairing Recommendations

This Thai-style Pasta Salad pairs well with a crisp white wine such as Sauvignon Blanc or a light lager beer. For a non-alcoholic option, try serving it with a refreshing iced tea or sparkling water with lime.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

Store any leftovers of this Thai-style Pasta Salad in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, gently warm the salad in the microwave or on the stovetop until heated through, adding a splash of water if needed to moisten.

Nutrition Information

Calories per serving

Each serving of this Thai-style Pasta Salad contains approximately 350 calories. This makes it a satisfying and filling meal option that can be enjoyed as a main dish or a side.

Carbohydrates

This Thai-style Pasta Salad is a carbohydrate-rich dish, with the noodles and vegetables providing a good source of energy. Carbohydrates are essential for fueling the body and providing energy for daily activities.

Fats

The dressing in this Thai-style Pasta Salad contains healthy fats from natural peanut butter, sesame oil, and vegetable oil. These fats are important for supporting cell growth, protecting organs, and providing energy.

Proteins

While this dish is primarily carbohydrate-based, the peanut butter in the dressing provides a source of protein. Protein is essential for building and repairing tissues, as well as supporting immune function.

Vitamins and minerals

This Thai-style Pasta Salad is packed with vitamins and minerals from the variety of vegetables included. Snow peas, radishes, tomatoes, cucumber, and bean sprouts all contribute essential nutrients such as vitamin C, vitamin K, and potassium.

Alergens

This recipe contains peanuts in the form of natural peanut butter. It is important to be mindful of any peanut allergies when preparing or serving this dish.

Summary

Overall, this Thai-style Pasta Salad is a well-rounded dish that provides a balance of carbohydrates, fats, proteins, vitamins, and minerals. It is a nutritious and delicious option for a light and refreshing meal.

Summary

This Thai-style Pasta Salad is a delicious and nutritious dish that combines the flavors of Thai cuisine with the comfort of pasta. With a creamy peanut dressing, crunchy vegetables, and tender noodles, it is a satisfying meal option that can be enjoyed as a main dish or a side.

How did I get this recipe?

I can't forget the moment I stumbled upon this recipe for Thai-style Pasta Salad. It was a warm summer day, much like today, and I found myself wandering through the bustling streets of Bangkok. The sights and sounds of the city enveloped me, as I meandered through the vibrant markets, filled with an array of colorful fruits and vegetables, exotic spices, and the intoxicating aroma of street food cooking on open flames.

As I wandered, I stumbled upon a small, unassuming food stall tucked away in a corner of the market. The stall was run by a sweet, elderly woman with a warm smile and twinkling eyes. She beckoned me over with a wave of her hand, and I found myself drawn to her like a magnet.

She motioned for me to sit at a rickety wooden table, and before I knew it, she had placed a steaming bowl of Thai-style Pasta Salad in front of me. The aroma wafted up to my nostrils, a heady mix of fragrant herbs, spicy chili, and tangy lime. I took a hesitant bite, and my taste buds exploded with flavor. It was like nothing I had ever tasted before - a harmonious blend of sweet, spicy, salty, and sour.

I couldn't help but ask the elderly woman for the recipe, and to my surprise, she agreed to share it with me. She spoke in a melodic voice, recounting the ingredients and steps with such clarity and passion that I was captivated. I scribbled down the recipe on a scrap of paper, determined to recreate this culinary masterpiece in my own kitchen.

Back home, I gathered the ingredients - pasta, fresh vegetables, herbs, and a medley of spices - and set to work. The kitchen was filled with the fragrant aroma of lemongrass, ginger, and garlic as I cooked, my hands moving deftly as I chopped, stirred, and seasoned.

The finished dish was a work of art, a riot of colors and textures that danced on the plate. I took a tentative bite, and the flavors transported me back to that bustling market in Bangkok. Each mouthful was a symphony of taste, a chorus of sweet, spicy, salty, and sour that sang on my palate.

I couldn't wait to share this creation with my family and friends, eager to see their reactions. As they gathered around the table, I served up generous portions of the Thai-style Pasta Salad, watching as their eyes widened in delight with each bite. They raved about the flavors, the textures, the sheer deliciousness of the dish, and I beamed with pride.

From that moment on, the Thai-style Pasta Salad became a staple in my culinary repertoire, a dish that I would make time and time again for special occasions, family gatherings, and lazy summer afternoons. Each time I cooked it, I would think back to that fateful day in Bangkok, to the kind elderly woman who had shared her recipe with me, and I would smile.

Over the years, I have made slight variations to the original recipe, adding my own twist with different vegetables, proteins, and seasonings. But no matter how I tweak it, the essence of the dish remains the same - a celebration of bold flavors, fresh ingredients, and the joy of cooking.

And so, as I sit here in my kitchen, preparing a batch of Thai-style Pasta Salad for tonight's dinner, I can't help but feel grateful for that chance encounter in Bangkok, for the gift of a recipe that has brought so much pleasure and joy into my life. I am forever indebted to that sweet, elderly woman for sharing her culinary wisdom with me, and I will always cherish the memories of that day, and of the delicious dish that started it all.