Thai Noodle Salad

2009-03-28T13:49:00.000-07:00

I've always enjoyed those Thai dishes which have a mixture of nutty/spicyness. So I figured why not make it myself. Through a little research, this is what I was able to come up with. It blends the typical Thai nut sauce in a nutritious Asian style salad. I could eat it every week!

Thai Noodle Salad
(6 Servings)

8oz Udon Noodles or Whole Wheat Noodles
2 Cups Napa Cabbage (chopped)
1/2 Red Pepper (diced)
Sm Carrot (shredded)

Sauce

1Tbs Fresh Ginger Root (shredded)
3 Cloves Garlic (shredded)
1/2 Cup Scallons (chopped)
3 Tbs Peanut Butter
3 Tbs Tahini (Sesame Butter)
2 Tbs Rice Vinegar
2 Tbs Sesame Seeds (Dry Pan Roasted)
1/3 Cup Hot Water

Instructions:
Cook noodles as directed. Cut up cabbage and pepper, and shred the carrot. Put in a large enough bowl to mix with sauce later. Take sesame seeds and place in heated dry pot or pan, cover and shake around until seeds are slighly browned to bring out the flavor (approx 3 minutes). Combine all sauce ingredence in a blender and blend until smooth. Toss sauce with vegetables and noodles then chill in refridgerator. After 2 hours take out, toss some more and enjoy!

Nutritional Information:
With the sesame seeds, tahini, and peanut butter you get approximately 10g of protein per serving and plenty of omega 3 & especially omega 6 essential fatty acids. Along with that you'll obtain vitamin E, B6, niacin, and a high amount of calcium in the sesame seeds!
Red pepper is loaded with vitamin C.
This meal is packed with complex carbs and will provide you with enough energy to get through your day and then some!

Best wishes and have a great day!

Spicy Sweet Plantain Pasta

2009-03-26T14:19:00.000-07:00

Often I'll cook something based on what I see, first come first serve you could say. I recently purchased some Plantains and they were looking tasty. So I figured why not work this nutritious tasty fruit into one of my meals and this is what ended up as the final product.

I have to say that it is now one of my favorite ways to make Plantains! They blend so well with the spicy tomato flavors. Feel free to experiment by adding a little habanero or olives!

Spicy Sweet Plantain Pasta
(4 Servings)

1 Lrg Plantain - Diced & Ripe preferred
2 Lrg Tomatoes - Diced
1 Med Onion - Diced
1 Sml Red Pepper - Diced
1 Med Jalapeno Pepper - Diced
4 Garlic Cloves - Shredded
6oz Whole Wheat Pasta
6oz or 1/2 pkg Trader Joes - Soy Chorizo (Can sub 1/2 cup Textured Vegetable Protein (TVP))
2 tsp Cayenne Pepper Powder
2 tsp Sea Salt
1 Tbs Grape seed or Olive Oil
2 tsp Garam Masala Powder
1/4 cup Nutritional Yeast

Instructions:
Start boiling water for pasta and cook recommended time. In a medium size pot heat oil at medium heat. Then add onion, tomatoes, cayenne pepper, sea salt and garam masala to the oil and cook until onion looks opaque, 3 to 5 minutes. Reduce heat down to med/med low then add plantain, red pepper, jalapeno pepper, and nutritional yeast and cook another 5 minutes. Combine noodles, shredded garlic and main mixture cooking a few more minutes so the flavors mix throughout. Serve and enjoy!

As I said you can feel free to experiment by adding any of your personal pasta favorites such as black or green olives, habanero pepper, mushrooms, spinach, banana peppers, and more. Serve with your favorite side of green beans, squash, corn, mashed sweet potatoes or whatever you desire.

Nutritional Information:
Plantains are excellent for increasing the serotonin levels which is a natural feel good chemical in the body. With garlic and tomatoes they provide a great source of potassium, magnesium, selenium, calcium, phosphorus, omega 3, omega 6, vitamins A, C, and B6 which boost mental clarity. Garlic is best used fresh or minimally cooked which is why I suggest to add it near the end of your cooking.

Best wishes and peace to all.

Heal Through Food

Thai Noodle Salad

Spicy Sweet Plantain Pasta