Sesame Thai Soba and Vegetable Salad

Salads don’t have to be boring, and this one certainly isn’t. This salad offers fresh Asian flavors with extra crunch from the sesame and pumpkin seeds. This recipe comes to us from our friends at Dole.

Serves 6

Cooking Tip of the Week: Nothing is sadder than taking a bite of soggy salad! If you have leftover salad, store the salad separate from the dressing. Then, the lettuce won’t absorb the salad dressing and will remain crispy and fresh.

Food for Thought: Soba is Japanese for buckwheat and Soba noodles are the most popular noodles in Japan! These noodles look very similar to spaghetti, except they come from a very different part of the world. Compared to spaghetti, Soba has a nuttier, earthier taste. Although it may be considered rude to slurp here in America, it is actually encouraged to slurp soup with Soba noodles in Japan. Say that 5 times fast! By slurping, you are able to taste more of the soup’s flavors. If you try this at home, be sure to use extra napkins so things don’t get too messy!

Family Dinner Conversation Starter: What is one thing you can’t live without? Also, what is one thing you can definitely live without?

Ingredients:

• For the Sesame Thai Soba and Vegetable Salad:
• 8 ounces Japanese Soba noodles
• 10 spears asparagus
• 1 large carrot, peeled
• 2 cups spinach
• 1 cup pineapple, diced
• 1/4 cup green onions, sliced
• 10 radishes, thinly sliced
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
• 1 tablespoon black sesame seeds
• 1 tablespoon pumpkin seeds
• Salt, to taste
• Pepper, to taste
• For the Sesame- Asian Vinaigrette:
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 3 tablespoons low- sodium soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons fresh ginger, grated
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
• 2 tablespoons honey
• 1 dash red pepper flakes

Directions:

To Make the Sesame Thai Soba Vegetable Salad:

Adult: Prepare soba noodles according to package directions.

Together: Drain soba noodles; toss with Sesame-Asian Vinaigrette (recipe below), set aside.

Adult: Shave both asparagus and carrots lengthwise using vegetable peeler.

Together: Toss soba noodles with asparagus and carrot ribbons, baby spinach leaves, pineapple, green onions and radishes. Season to taste with salt and pepper.

Kid: Sprinkle cilantro, sesame seeds and pumpkin seeds over noodles.

To Make the Sesame- Asian Vinaigrette:

Together: Combine 1/4 cup fresh lime juice, 3 tablespoons low-sodium soy sauce, 2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger, 2 tablespoons sesame oil, 2 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro, 2 teaspoons honey and few red pepper flakes in small bowl.