Peanut slaw with soba noodles

Celebrate National Vegetarian Week by making this healthy Asian slaw with soba noodles tossed in a bold peanut-sesame sauce for your work lunch.

Serves: 4

INGREDIENTS

For the slaw

4 ounces soba noodles or whole wheat spaghetti

1 very small purple or green cabbage, sliced into quarters and core removed (about 16 ounces/6 cups shredded)

½ pound (about 12) Brussels sprouts, nubby ends removed, or additional cabbage (about 2 cups shredded)

4 carrots, peeled

1 bunch of green onions, trimmed and sliced into thin rounds

Peanut-sesame dressing

½ cup peanut butter

3 tablespoons white wine vinegar or rice vinegar

3 tablespoons toasted sesame oil

3 tablespoons reduced-sodium tamari or other soy sauce

2 tablespoons honey or maple syrup

1 tablespoon finely grated fresh ginger

2 garlic cloves, pressed or minced

For the garnish

Sprinkle of coarsely chopped peanuts

Handful of cilantro, coarsely torn

1 lime, sliced into wedges

Optional for spice lovers: sriracha or chili-garlic sauce

METHOD

Cook the soba noodles: Bring a large pot of water to boil and cook the noodles according to package directions. Drain and rinse with cold water before returning to the pot.

Prepare the vegetables: This is easier in a food processor than by hand. If using a food processor, shred the cabbage and sprouts with the slicing disk, then grate the carrots using the grating disk. Or use a chef’s knife to chop the cabbage and sprouts into thin strips, then coarsely grate the carrots.

Prepare the dressing: In a 2-cup liquid measuring cup or medium bowl, whisk together the dressing ingredients until smooth. If the mixture should be thick but drizzly; if it’s too thick, whisk in water in 1 tablespoon increments until it is (at which point you might need to add a little salt to taste since the flavours have been diluted.)

Combine the cooked soba noodles, shredded cabbage and sprouts, grated carrots, and chopped green onions in a large serving bowl. Pour dressing over the vegetables and toss to coat (you may or may not need all of the dressing). For best flavour, let the slaw marinate for 20 minutes before serving.

Serve slaw with a sprinkling of chopped peanuts, torn cilantro and a lime wedge. Serve with sriracha on the side if you’d like a spicy kick. This slaw keeps very well for a few days (covered and refrigerated). Before serving, wake up the flavours with a dash of lime juice or vinegar and more fresh cilantro.

Recipe credit: Cookie + Kate

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