Spicy Peanut Butter Noodle Salad with Cucumber & Bok Choy
Submitted by happyzhangbo
Rice vermicelli tangles with crisp cucumber, bok choy, and matchstick carrots in a creamy peanut butter sauce spiked with chili garlic paste, ginger, and fresh cilantro for a make-ahead Asian noodle salad.
YIELD
2 servingsPREP
20 minCOOK
20 minREADY
60 minThis cold noodle salad hits all the right notes: nutty peanut butter, fiery chili heat, bright ginger, and cool cucumber crunch. The sauce clings to every strand of vermicelli, while bok choy and carrots add color and snap. Make it a day ahead and the flavors deepen as they sit, making lunch prep a breeze.
Pro Tips
- Reserve pasta water: That starchy cooking water loosens the sauce when the noodles stiffen in the fridge. Add a few tablespoons at a time until the salad looks glossy again.
- Toss with sesame oil immediately: Coating hot noodles with sesame oil prevents them from clumping into one giant noodle brick as they cool.
- Adjust heat to taste: Start with 1 teaspoon of chili garlic sauce, then add more after tasting. Heat levels vary wildly between brands.
Variations
- Add shredded rotisserie chicken or baked tofu for protein-packed lunches
- Swap bok choy for napa cabbage or snap peas
- Use almond butter instead of peanut butter for a different nutty flavor
Ingredients
Directions
Bring a medium pot of water to a boil.
Cook the vermicelli noodles for 6 to 8 minutes until tender.
Drain in a colander and reserve 1 cup of cooking water.
Toss the noodles with sesame oil, set aside.
Meanwhile in a small bowl, whisk together all the sauce ingredients until well combined.
Season to taste with more sauce ingredients if desired.
In a large mixing bowl, toss together all the vegetables with sauce until well mixed.
Add the noodles and some of the cooking water if the noodles seem too dry to mix.
Mix everything with chopsticks or whatever tool you prefer until evenly distributed.
Divide between two serving plates and serve.
Note: The noodle salad can be made 1 day ahead, keep in an air-tight container in the refrigerator for overnight.
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