Tuesday, May 13, 2014

Noodle Salad with Chicken and Chili-Scallion Oil


May is such a transitional month for me. There are usually many changes. It's a month of birthdays and celebrated occasions. It's also the time of year that we move from our home in the desert to our home on the coast. We will live in a completely different environment for the next 4 to 5 months. It is an exciting time and an emotional time for sure. It's always a tug on the heartstrings to leave family and close friends.

The salad today is a little different from the usual. It is made primarily with the soba noodles being the star. Soba noodles are wonderful in that they have a nutty taste and a slight chew to them. They cook rather quickly and are great in cold salads or perfect for slurping in hot brothy soups. There are many benefits as well a few being that they can decrease cholesterol and lower blood pressure. This recipe has been adapted from the April edition of "Bon Appetit" magazine. My husband loved the chili oil and thought it had a bit of a kick. The only thing I would add to this next time and only if I had on hand would be unsalted peanuts as a garnish. Great for lunch the next day, no re-heating!

Ingredients:

Chili-scallion oil:

2 scallions (thinly sliced)
2 garlic cloves (thinly sliced)
2 star anise pods (whole)
2 tablespoons crushed red pepper flakes
1 tablespoon fresh ginger (chopped)
1 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorns
1/2 cup vegetable oil

Noodles and sauce:

6 ounces soba noodles (they suggest ramen, somen or udon)
(here I doubled the sauce)
4 tablespoons reduced-sodium soy sauce
4 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar
3 teaspoons sugar
2 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
2 cups cooked chicken (shredded)
2 scallions (thinly sliced)
3/4 large hothouse cucumber (sliced thin)
5 radishes thinly sliced
1 cup cilantro leaves
1 handful unsalted peanuts (to garnish)

Start with chili scallion oil by adding all ingredients to small saucepan over medium heat. Stir occasionally until scallions and garlic turn lightly brown, about 3 to 5 minutes. Remove from heat, let cool and then transfer to jar. Cover and chill.


Next cook noodles in a large pot of boiling water about 7 minutes. (follow directions on the package of the type of noodle that you end up using). Rinse noodles in cold water, then shake off as much water as possible.

Combine and whisk together the soy sauce, vinegar, sugar and vegetable oil. In serving bowl add noodles,chicken, scallions and half the sauce, toss together. Add cucumbers, radishes and cilantro and toss gently. Garnish with peanuts.




Cheri Savory Spoon
Cheri Savory Spoon

Mysavoryspoon was first started in 2010 as a way to journal recipes that I had collected from cookbooks, magazines, family and friends. Most everything was savory, using legumes and whole grains. Along the way I discovered a love for baking. Now a couple times a month you might see some type of sweet pie or treat.

55 comments:

  1. I can't believe it, I have ALL of these ingredients in the house right now, I am so excited!

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    1. Hi Sue, I love it when that happens. Thanks for stopping by.

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  2. It sounds like a very flavorful dish. I love that it has fresh ginger and sesame oil in it. It's really nice that you can get away for the summer!

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    1. Hi Shari, we are very lucky that my husband can do some work from there, not a lot that's why we come back when we do.

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  3. MMMmmm, I love the flavours in this salad and I love soba noodles. Great pics, Cheri - looks like you took them outdoors. Isn't it heavenly to have that luxury now? I love the radishes in there! Have a nice night.

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    1. Thanks Robyn, I still need lots of help with my pictures but the natural light sure helps. Thanks for the encouraging words!

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  4. Chili Scallion Oil sounds delightful! This one will definitely go down well with my boyfriend...might leave the word salad out of the title when he asks what's for dinner though...

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    1. Hi Amy, understand where you are coming from, maybe pasta dish would sound better. LOl!

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  5. Chili Scallion Oil sounds amazing. This will definitely go down well with the boyfriend. Might just leave salad out of the title when he asks what's for dinner though...

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  6. A beautiful salad and I love the sound of the chilli oil!

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    1. My husband loved the chili oil, I just can't take real spicy food anymore. Love it but it does not love me.

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  7. This sounds like a nice dish to enjoy this summer. My husband and I are like you and leave our home in New Hampshire and spend summer at our cottage in Maine. We have the same feelings, you miss your friends but you hope they come and visit during the summer. :)

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    1. Hi Karen, oh how I have always wanted to visit Maine, I think the coast line might be kind of similar to Oregon, rocky in some parts.

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  8. I've always wanted to try soba noodles and this looks amazing. Love the chili oil recipe! Yum

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    1. Hi Tricia, I absolutely love soba noodles, did not realize this until recently but they are definitely worth trying.

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  9. We have a lot of birthdays in May too, (3 of my children) plus Mothers Day. Your recipe looks so delicious, soba noodles are a favourite of mine.
    Thanks for sharing,
    Gourmet Getaways
    julie x

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    1. Hi Julie, your site is absolutely gorgeous, would love to travel like you do!

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  10. Oh, I meant to say, I just added you to my blogroll, pop over and say hi :)

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  11. Sounds scrumptious. I could eat salads like this every day! I agree with your husband, the chile oil sounds great!!

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    1. Hi Chris, I agree, it's just anymore I can't have to much spice anymore, oh how I miss it!

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  12. I love this! This is the kind of noodle salad that I always crave in the summer. Thanks for the recipe, Cheri! --Angie

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    1. Hi Angie, I agree, salads are my go to in the summertime.

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  13. Never tried these noodles, but something tells me I would like them a lot, especially in a sort of dish you made. Looks fantastic!
    Good luck with the move!
    :) ela@GrayApron

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    1. Hi Ela, soba noodles are my favorite, love the nuttiness.

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  14. Oh boy! I can almost taste the bursting of flavors in my mouth. A truly Asian salad with a mix of everything. I soooo luv this, Cheri!

    Julie
    Gourmet Getaways

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  15. I haven't tried soba noodles but this salad is making me want to buy some, especially with a glug of chilli oil. Must be lovely to be able to live by the coast during the warmer weather.

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    1. Hi Tina, it is wonderful by the coast. We really love soba noodles, they make this salad.

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  16. YUM...YUM..

    Where on the coast ..which coast?
    Sounds lovely Cheri.

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  17. How fun to change scenery every few months! I'm sure it's sad to say goodbye, but think of all the people you'll be saying hello to! #glasshalffull :P

    I've definitely been craving light Asian noodle salads lately. This sounds deeelicious! So spring perfect.

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    1. You are so right Joanne, the glass half full. Thanks!

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  18. LOVE soba noodles, and the flavors in that dressing sound wonderful!

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  19. Soba noodles are amazing and with that dressing I bet they taste like a million bucks. Great recipe Cheri!

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  20. This looks so very delicious, Cheri! I love soba noodles -- and there's nothing as cheery and refreshing as radishes to brighten up a dish. This is beautiful.

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    1. Hi Cynthia, radishes are great, they do make the dish look so fresh.

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  21. I love that dressing! Your soba noodle salad looks so appetizing and moreish, Cheri.

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  22. This salad looks fantastic! Love the dressing too, and the soba noodles-something I've always wanted to cook with, now I have an excuse to pick some up next time I'm at the grocery store :)

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    1. Hi Phi, soba noodles are really delicious, they are nutty and a little chewy. Thanks!

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  23. I just made soba noodles today for my dinner so I'm totally with you. Love the sound of the chili oil. I make one with sesame dressing and I added some julienne carrots, shiitake, and greens today. Going to have it with some chicken and a soft boiled egg. : ) Enjoy your time by the coast...sounds nice.

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    1. Hi Monica, the sesame dressing sounds delicious and I love the addition of carrots and greens. Thanks!

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  24. Cheri - I hope you had a good trip to the cooler climes! The desert will miss you. I love this salad - it is very similar to one I made with smoked salmon and will be posting in a couple of weeks. Bon voyage!

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    1. Hi David, leaving next Saturday, will miss the desert and yes it will be much cooler. Can't wait to see your salad!

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  25. I love soba noodles and the next time I get some I am going to try this! Happy moving :)

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    1. Thanks Tandy, soba noodles are my new favorite food.

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  26. This is such a beautiful dish! So simple, but the colours work so well together. Delicious and healthy too :)

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    1. Thanks Hazel, it really is pretty simple. Thanks for stopping by.

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  27. that Chili-scallion oil sounds amazing.... anise!? YUM

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  28. What an amazing salad! It has so much goodness going on and I love that you can eat it warm or cold. Good luck with your move!

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  29. I am definitely bookmarking this, it will be wonderful when it gets hotter here! Thank you!

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