Sunday, January 06, 2008

Tasty Thai Salad



I credit my ability to create recipes and to cook to my mother. She didn't do much cooking, so I started baking cookies at the age of eight, and cooking for the family by the time I was twelve. ( I still remember the time I brought home baked - and slightly burnt - chocolate cookies to a school get together!) That was my first attempt at baking, and boy, did I have initiative to improve after that!

One thing I have a knack for is to taste a recipe that someone else makes, and go home and duplicate it. Here's my version of a really good Thai salad that I bought at a deli a few weeks ago. The main ingredients are obvious, but it's the dressing that had a little surprise taste to it. Peanut oil and a good quality Thai peanut sauce are what makes this salad so tasty.

Dressing
1/2 cup peanut oil
2 TBSP roasted sesame oil
1/4 cup soy sauce
1/4 cup rice vinegar (not wine vinegar)
1/3 cup peanut sauce
2-3 cloves garlic, minced or pressed
pinch of dried hot red pepper seeds
salt to taste

Salad
2 packages of steamed fresh Asian noodles (300 gm), cooked according to package directions
2 grilled chicken breasts, diced (leftover chicken works well)
1 1/2 cups fresh snow peas, halved and steamed till crisp
1 large carrot, shredded
1 large red pepper, diced
3 cups fresh spinach, chopped
1/2 cup unsalted cashews (optional)
3 TBSP poppy seeds

Whisk all the dressing ingredients together. Marinate the diced chicken breast in a few tablespoons of the dressing. Let it sit while you prepare the other ingredients. If the noodles are long, after cooking, cut them shorter after you drain them in a strainer. This is easy to do if you invert the strainer onto a cutting board, then using a large knife, just slice through the cooked noodles in several places. Combine everything in a bowl. You'll probably have to mix the ingredients with your hands. Enjoy.

Simple, isn't it?


14 comments:

Therese said...

mmmmmmmmmmmm. Sounds delicious. I am going to try this. Thanks pmg.

Karin said...

PG-

That sounds delicious!!! I printed out this reciepe and making it tomorrow :)
Between you and I.R. (who I can not believe is driven off from blogging) I have a nice stack of recipes.

I guess I better post some of mine :)


By the way...A Happy New Year to you and your family!!!

leosatter said...

yes, this looks simple and great! I have never tried this type of food before. is were I usually order my food from, but i think I am going to try this recipe out and see how i like it. thank you for the reciepe!!!!!!

Michele said...

can one make this without peanut oil? iam allergic to peanut oil

paramedicgirl said...

Marilena, you could use canola oil, but you would also have to leave out the peanut sauce. It won't taste the same, but it will still be good enough.

Michele said...

ok. thanks. by the way, the linked rosary you want is called a jacons ladder rosary.

deb said...

I like this because it sounds healthy and easy. I am trying to incorporate less packaged meals into my cooking. I will give this one a try next pay day. :0)

deb said...

Oh, how many servings does this make?

paramedicgirl said...

Oh, how many servings does this make?
Good point, Deb! It makes a lot of servings! If you are having it for a main course, you will have leftovers for a family of four. This recipe keeps well for a few days in the fridge. It's a great recipe to take to potlucks, too. You can always halve it successfully.

Michele said...

too bad i don't attend potlucks, at least i wouldn't have to cook:) hee hee hee:)

deb said...

Thank you! Now that my son is away in school, we are a family of five, so this sounds like a great recipe for us.

Tom in Vegas said...

PG-

I can't cook. So why don't you be nice chef and make me some, stuff it in an envelope and mail it to me!

Let me know and I'll give you my address. LOL!

Tom

paramedicgirl said...

Howdy Tom! Glad to see you back. :}

Dr. Bombay said...

Yes, yes, the salad sounds delish. However, could you please post your recipe for slightly burnt chocolate cookies?