Thai Peanut Noodle Salad

 Here’s how you can make a flavorful Thai Peanut Noodle Salad at home. It's light, refreshing, and packed with crunchy veggies and a delicious peanut sauce!

Ingredients

For the Salad:

• 200g rice noodles (or any noodles you like)
• 1 cucumber, julienned or thinly sliced
• 1 cup shredded red cabbage
• 1 carrot, julienned or grated
• ½ cup edamame (cooked)
• 1 red bell pepper, thinly sliced
• 2-3 green onions, chopped
• ¼ cup fresh cilantro or mint, chopped
• 2 tablespoons sesame seeds (optional)
• Peanuts, crushed for topping
• Lime wedges, for serving

For the Peanut Sauce:

• ¼ cup creamy peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce or tamari (for gluten-free)
• 1 tablespoon lime juice
• 1 tablespoon maple syrup or honey (if not vegan)
• 1 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 clove garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon ginger, grated
• 1-2 teaspoons sriracha or chili flakes (for heat, optional)
• 2-4 tablespoons warm water (to thin the sauce)

Instructions

1. Prepare the Noodles:

• Cook the rice noodles according to the package instructions. Once cooked, drain and rinse with cold water to stop the cooking process. Set aside.

2. Make the Peanut Sauce:

• In a bowl, whisk together the peanut butter, soy sauce, lime juice, maple syrup, sesame oil, garlic, ginger, and sriracha.
• Gradually add warm water to reach your desired consistency. The sauce should be smooth and slightly thick but pourable.

3. Prep the Vegetables:

• While the noodles cook, julienne the cucumber, carrot, and bell pepper.
• Shred the red cabbage and chop the green onions and cilantro.

4. Assemble the Salad:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the cooked noodles, prepared vegetables, and edamame.
• Pour the peanut sauce over the noodle and vegetable mixture. Toss everything together until well-coated in the sauce.

5. Serve:

• Top with crushed peanuts, sesame seeds, and more cilantro or mint.
• Serve with lime wedges for an extra zesty kick.

Optional Additions/Variations:

• Add tofu or tempeh for a protein boost.
• Toss in fresh mango slices for a sweet contrast.
• Use zucchini noodles or spiralized veggies for a lighter, low-carb version.

Enjoy your refreshing and savory Thai Peanut Noodle Salad!