Fiery Asian Noodle Salad with Crunchy Peanuts
Indulge in the vibrant flavors of this Fiery Asian Noodle Salad, a delightful fusion of textures and spice that creates an unforgettable dish for any gathering. The succulent linguine pairs perfectly with a medley of colorful vegetables, while the honey-roasted peanuts add a delightful crunch. This salad can be adjusted to suit your heat preference, making it versatile for all palates. Enjoy it as a side dish or elevate it to a main course by adding cooked chicken or shrimp. Make sure to plan ahead, as chilling the pasta for two hours allows the flavors to meld beautifully.
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
Linguine
1 lb (broken in half)
Sesame oil
6 tablespoons (divided)
Honey
5 tablespoons (none)
Soy sauce
5 tablespoons (none)
Balsamic vinegar
5 tablespoons (none)
Salt
to taste (none)
Cayenne pepper
1/4 teaspoon (can use more to taste)
Red bell peppers
3 large (seeded and sliced very thin)
Fresh green beans
3 cups (ends trimmed and cut in half)
Sweet onion
1 large (thinly sliced)
Honey-roasted peanuts
1 cup (coarsely chopped)
Black pepper
to taste (none)
Instructions
1
Bring a large pot of salted water to a boil. Add the linguine, broken in half, and cook until just firm-tender, approximately 8-10 minutes. Drain thoroughly and transfer to a large mixing bowl.
2
In a medium bowl, combine the sesame oil, honey, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, and cayenne pepper. Whisk until the mixture is well-blended, then season with salt to taste.
3
Pour half of the dressing over the warm pasta, tossing well to ensure the noodles are evenly coated.
4
Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 2 hours to chill and allow the flavors to develop.
5
In a large skillet, heat the remaining tablespoon of sesame oil over high heat. Add the green beans and onions, sautéing for about 2 minutes until they begin to soften but remain crisp.
6
Remove the skillet from heat and allow the vegetables to cool slightly. Add the sautéed beans, onions, red bell peppers, and chopped peanuts to the chilled pasta.
7
Drizzle a little more of the dressing over the salad and toss gently to combine. Season with black pepper to taste if desired.
8
Serve the salad in bowls, passing the remaining dressing separately for drizzling.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Fiery Asian Noodle Salad?
It is a vibrant fusion dish featuring linguine, colorful vegetables, and honey-roasted peanuts tossed in a spicy sesame-based dressing.
What type of pasta is used in this recipe?
The recipe calls for one pound of linguine, which should be broken in half before cooking.
How long should I cook the linguine?
Cook the linguine in salted water for 8 to 10 minutes until it is just firm-tender.
What ingredients are in the dressing?
The dressing consists of sesame oil, honey, soy sauce, balsamic vinegar, cayenne pepper, and salt to taste.
Is this noodle salad recipe vegetarian?
Yes, the base recipe is vegetarian.
Can I add protein to this salad?
Absolutely; you can elevate it to a main course by adding cooked chicken or shrimp.
How long does the pasta need to chill?
The pasta should be refrigerated for at least 2 hours to allow the flavors to meld beautifully.
What provides the heat in this recipe?
The heat comes from cayenne pepper, starting with 1/4 teaspoon or more depending on your preference.
How are the green beans prepared?
The ends should be trimmed, and the beans should be cut in half before being sautéed.
Do I need to cook the red bell peppers?
No, the red bell peppers are seeded, sliced very thin, and added raw to the chilled salad for crunch.
What kind of peanuts should I use?
The recipe specifically calls for honey-roasted peanuts, coarsely chopped, for a delightful sweet and salty crunch.
How do I prepare the sweet onion?
The sweet onion should be thinly sliced and then sautéed briefly with the green beans.
What type of oil is used for sautéing the vegetables?
One tablespoon of sesame oil is used to sauté the green beans and onions over high heat.
Why should I only use half the dressing initially?
Half the dressing is tossed with the warm pasta to ensure even coating and absorption during the chilling process.
How long should I sauté the green beans and onions?
Sauté them for approximately 2 minutes until they begin to soften but still remain crisp.
What type of vinegar is used in the dressing?
The recipe uses 5 tablespoons of balsamic vinegar.
How many red bell peppers are required?
The recipe requires 3 large red bell peppers.
Is this salad served hot or cold?
This is a chilled noodle salad, served after being refrigerated for at least 2 hours.
Can I adjust the spice level?
Yes, the cayenne pepper amount can be adjusted to suit your specific heat preference.
What should I do with the remaining dressing?
The remaining dressing should be drizzled over the salad before serving or passed separately.
How many cups of green beans are needed?
You will need 3 cups of fresh green beans.
What is the texture of the vegetables in the final dish?
The vegetables should remain crisp-tender to provide a nice contrast to the soft linguine.
Can I use black pepper in this recipe?
Yes, you can season the final dish with black pepper to taste if desired.
How much honey is used?
The dressing uses 5 tablespoons of honey.
What makes this a good party food?
Its vibrant colors, unique fusion flavors, and the fact that it can be made ahead make it ideal for gatherings.
Do I need to salt the pasta water?
Yes, bring a large pot of salted water to a boil before adding the linguine.
How should the honey-roasted peanuts be prepared?
They should be coarsely chopped before being added to the salad.
Is this recipe considered healthy?
Yes, it is tagged as a healthy option due to the high volume of fresh vegetables and use of sesame oil.
What type of soy sauce is required?
The recipe calls for 5 tablespoons of standard soy sauce.
How do I finish the salad before serving?
Toss the chilled pasta with the sautéed vegetables, raw peppers, and peanuts, then drizzle with additional dressing.