Glass noodle salad with lime cashew crumble Recipe

This Asian-style salad combines glass noodles with contemporary herbs, greens and shredded chicken with an addictive creamy hoisin dressing that adheres to the slippery noodles. The zingy salty lime cashew crumble actually makes it, so don’t skip it! Terrific no-cook meal for warm summer season nights.

That is a kind of summer-time showstopper salads that makes you me imagine you I may turn out to be a clean-eating goddess as a result of although you’re I’m often the form of one who goes ga-ga over fall-apart meat, one chunk of this and woah…… How can wholesome be so darn scrumptious???

The star of at the moment’s salad is glass noodles, these delicate skinny, clear noodles that look identical to rice vermicelli noodles besides they’re see-through. Like glass. Therefore, the title!

Mix these with a simple-yet-incredible hoisin dressing that clings fairly than slides off the slippery noodles, contemporary herbs, greens and shredded chicken, to make it a meal (or not!). Then end with a bathe of what I’m calling a lime cashew crumble, a ridiculously easy-to-make final touch that elevates this dish from mmmm that is so good to holy moly, how can a SALAD be so freakin’ scrumptious!!

Sure you possibly can! Asian aisle, dried skinny white noodle sticks labelled bean thread vermicelli noodles or variations thereof: bean thread glass noodles, glass noodles, or simply bean thread. The packet I get is pictured above.

Constructed from the starch of mung beans, they’re additionally generally generally known as cellophane noodles and simply require soaking in boiling water to rehydrate.

Sometimes in Asian cuisines, they’re utilized in soups, spring rolls, and stir fries. Right now I’m utilizing it in a salad as a result of they make for an ideal no-cook satisfying salad for a summertime meal!

Can’t discover glass noodles? No issues! Rice vermicelli noodles make an ideal substitute. They’re not see via. However that’s okay, we will survive! 😂

I’ve made this salad as a meal by including a very good quantity of chicken. However be happy so as to add extra greens as a substitute to make it a facet salad, or a meat-free meal.

Strive to not skip the contemporary herbs, they create such a stunning freshness to this salad! Additionally, don’t skip the lime cashew crumble. Make it as soon as, and also you’ll perceive why I say that.

• Bean thread / glass noodles / cellophane noodles – all of the names these noodles go by! See above for an in depth up picture. Discover it within the Asian or noodle aisle of grocery shops. Or, you possibly can substitute with vermicelli noodles in a pinch!

• Shredded chicken – It’s okay, you possibly can simply purchase a roast chicken and shred the meat! 🙂 In any other case, poach your individual chicken breast or use any comparatively plain flavoured leftover roast chicken or different meat you’ve got. Shred it or slice into batons.

  For a meat-free various or to make this right into a veg-loaded facet salad, simply skip the chicken and add extra greens.

• Carrot, cucumber and cabbage – The greens I’ve opted for. I wish to julienne the carrot and cabbage in order that they jumble up properly with the noodles. I minimize the cucumber a bit of bigger on an angle for some textural distinction – it’s good to chunk into some contemporary juicy crunch!

  Different vegetable ideas – bean sprouts (useful no prep!), asparagus (finely slice on angle), crisp lettuce (finely slice), inexperienced beans (prepare dinner and funky), inexperienced papaya (shredded – see right here for a way), cherry tomatoes (halved), radish (julienned), frivolously steamed Asian greens (minimize into 7.5cm/3″ lengths), broccolini (minimize into skinny batons, frivolously steamed).

• Mint & coriander/cilantro – These herbs convey a superb South East Asian freshness to this salad! Actually attempt to not skip these, in the event you can. However in the event you don’t have them (or are a kind of coriander/cilantro haters) they are often skipped and it’ll nonetheless be a brilliant tasty salad due to the dressing.

The Hoisin dressing

Glass noodles are slippery little suckers, so it’s good to make the dressing a bit of thicker so it clings to the noodles higher. To do that, I take advantage of a contact of mayonnaise.

• Kewpie mayonnaise – Don’t get turned off by the inclusion of mayonnaise within the dressing! It’s simply 1 1/2 tablespoons, and as famous above, it makes the dressing a bit of creamy so it clings to the slippery noodles higher. Plus, we’re utilizing Kewpie mayonnaise. Everybody is aware of this Japanese mayo is the perfect one round! (But it surely’s okay, you gained’t smash the recipe in the event you use one other kind of mayo however you’ll do me proud in the event you get Kewpie).

• Soy sauce – Gives the saltiness within the dressing.

• Hoisin – flavour, contact of sweetness and in addition helps thicken the dressing as a result of hoisin is a thick sauce. Love the Chinese language 5 spice flavour in it.

• Chinese language 5 spice powder – For extra 5 spice flavour goodness! It is a spice mix out there at on a regular basis grocery shops. It’s a spice combine made with star anise, cloves, Chinese language cinnamon, fennel and Sichuan pepper that’s used broadly in Chinese language cooking in addition to different Asian cuisines corresponding to Vietnamese.

• Rice vinegar – An Asian vinegar made out of (look ahead to it…..) rice! Utilizing rice vinegar is on theme for this Asian flavoured salad, however you possibly can substitute with apple cider vinegar or white wine vinegar.

• Sesame oil and canola oil – Sesame oil for flavour, and canola oil to make up the remainder of the oil required so the sesame flavour isn’t too robust.

• Contemporary ginger – The dressing solely requires 3/4 teaspoon of finely grated ginger, for background flavour. I don’t use rather a lot as a result of there’s loads of different flavours happening. However be happy to dial it up!

Lime cashew crumble (don’t skip this!)

It is a fabulous, easy final touch that offers this noodle salad that je ne sais quoi! It’s limey, salty and candy, and makes cashews even higher than they already are. Right here’s all you want:

Thanks for inventing this Chef JB. We love your intelligent, easy concepts like this that make meals even tastier with such little effort!

Far out – what a deal with – a 4 step recipe. 😂

1. Soak glass noodles in boiling water for 3 to 4 minutes till they turn out to be clear and soften. Then drain and when cool sufficient to deal with, loosen the tangle of noodles.

   Observe: Some packets will say to soak in chilly water. Ignore it. Or – attempt it, get irritated when it doesn’t work, drain then soak in boiling water. (That may be me.)

2. Toss lime cashew components in a bowl. They can be utilized instantly or put aside for some time till wanted.

3. Shake dressing components in a jar.

4. Toss – Place all of the salad components besides the lime cashews in a bowl and pour over the dressing. Toss nicely. Then add half the cashews and toss via. Pour into a big serving bowl or particular person serving bowls, then sprinkle over the remaining cashews. Dive in!

If you happen to’re eager to get forward, you possibly can put together all of the parts individually forward of time then toss them collectively simply previous to serving. That is what I do – every part is saved within the fridge. You may simply put every part in a single massive container, simply maintain them separated:

1. Noodles – soak, drain, rinse, detangle, cool.

2. Cabbage, carrot and cucumber – slice, retailer in container.

3. Shredded chicken – retailer in container.

4. Mint and coriander / cilantro leaves – Choose, wash, dry, retailer in paper towel lined container, coated with paper towel then a lid.

5. Lime crumble – make and maintain within the fridge. If you happen to made it a day+ forward, give it a contemporary spritz of lime juice and zest.

6. Dressing – shake in jar, retailer in fridge.

If you happen to do that, the salad may be made as much as 3 days forward (the chicken will dictate the shelf life). Helpful for meal prep / work lunches.

Hope you’re keen on this as a lot as I do! – Johnsat x

PS In case you’re wanting, extra salads with substance this fashion -> Salad Meals recipe assortment.

Glass noodle salad with lime cashew crumble Recipe

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Serves: 3 Prep Time: 20 minutes

Nutrition facts: 617 calories 20 grams fat

Rating: 5.0/5

( 1 voted )

Ingredients

• 100 g / 3.5 oz bean thread vermicelli noodles / cellophane noodles (Note 1)
• 3 cups shredded cooked chicken (about 1/2 store bought roast chicken) (Note 2)
• 2 packed cups (180g) green cabbage, finely sliced
• 1 cucumber , cut in half, sliced 3mm / 1/8″ thick on the diagonal
• 1 carrot , peeled then julienned
• 2 green onion stems , finely sliced on a diagonal
• 1 cup lightly packed coriander/cilantro leaves
• 1 cup lightly packed mint leaves
• 1 cup unsalted roasted cashew nuts , roughly chopped
• 1 1/2 tsp lime zest
• 2 tsp lime juice
• 3/4 tsp caster sugar / superfine sugar (sub ordinary / granulated)
• 1/2 tsp cooking/kosher salt
• 3 tbsp light soy sauce
• 3 tbsp rice vinegar
• 1 1/2 tbsp sesame oil
• 1 1/2 tbsp canola oil
• 1 1/2 tbsp kewpie mayonnaise (or other mayo) (Note 3)
• 1 tbsp hoisin sauce
• 3/4 tsp finely grated fresh ginger
• 1/4 tsp Chinese five spice powder (Note 4)

Instructions

1. Glass noodles: Place dry noodles in a bowl and cover with freshly boiled water. Leave for 3 to 4 minutes or until transparent and softened. Drain using a colander, rinse under tap water (for rapid cool and reduce stickiness) then detangle using your fingers. Drain thoroughly before use. Set aside to fully cool.
2. Lime cashew crumble: Place ingredients in a bowl and toss. (No marinating time needed)
3. Dressing: Place ingredients in a jar and shake until well combined.
4. Salad: Place glass noodle salad ingredients in a large bowl. Pour over dressing, toss well. Add half the cashews, toss again.
5. Serve: Transfer to a large salad bowl or individual bowls. Sprinkle with remaining lime cashew crumble and serve!

Notes

1. Glass noodles are sold labelled as bean thread vermicelli noodles or cellophane noodles. Once soaked, they become transparent, hence the name! I use Double Pheonix brand which is sold at everyday grocery stores (Asian aisle) and Asian stores. See photos in post. Substitute with vermicelli noodles.
Ignore packet if it says to soak in cold water. It takes “forever” / sometimes just doesn’t work at all.
2. Chicken – Or poach your own, or use leftover cooked chicken or other proteins. To make this a side salad, skip the chicken and increase the vegetables.
3. Kewpie is a Japanese brand of mayonnaise that’s widely available these days, sold in the Asian section of grocery stores. It’s such a small amount it’s fine to substitute with another mayo. To make a mayo-free version, substitute with more canola oil. Tahini would also work as a thickener and double up on lovely sesame flavour.
4. Chinese five spice is a spice blend available at everyday grocery stores. It’s a spice mix made with star anise, cloves, Chinese cinnamon, fennel and Sichuan pepper than is used widely in Chinese cooking as well as other Asian cuisines such as Vietnamese.
Storage: Keep the lime cashew crumble and dressing separate from the salad. Toss just prior to serving. Once dressed, best consumed that day. Lime cashew crumble will keep for a few days but lime flavour fades so best to make fresh. Dressing will keep for 3 days.
Nutrition per serving, assuming 4 servings. 178 calories per serving is attributable to the cashews. I cannot recommend skipping it (because it’s SO GOOD!) but if you are really counting calories then it’s an option….. Remember, this is for a relatively generous serving and it’s for a complete meal that is satisfying! 

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Sarah Miller

Hi, I’m Sarah Millar!
I’m a food blogger who loves creating quick and easy recipes that bring big flavor without the fuss. Cooking doesn’t have to be complicated — and I’m here to share simple, fast food ideas that anyone can make at home. When I’m not in the kitchen, you’ll usually find me tasting new dishes, exploring cafés, or coming up with fresh food hacks to make everyday meals more fun.

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