Picnic-ables: Soba Noodle & Raw Veggie Salad

Photo courtesy of www.cookieandkate.com

I'm in love with this weather - summer is the greatest. One of my favorite summer activities is to go picnicking on lazy Sunday afternoons, preferably at a beach. Bliss!

Like barbaques, though, summer picnics can be a bit of a trap when it comes to healthy eating: cold, deep-fried chicken, gluten-heavy, creamy pasta salad, and desserts laden with sugar are common fare.

When I picnic, I prefer to make a tasty soba noodle salad. Soba noodles are made with buckwheat (look for 100% buckwheat soba noodles if you're avoiding gluten) and are packed with anti-oxidants and other nutrients. This recipe from Cookie & Kate is a great option for your next picnic, or even just for dinner on the back deck. Enjoy!

Soba Noodle & Raw Veggie Salad

  • 8 ounces soba noodles
  • ½ cup reduced sodium tamari (or soy sauce, just be sure it's reduced sodium or it will taste too salty)
  • 1 teaspoon sesame oil
  • 2 tablespoons quality peanut oil, olive oil or vegetable oil
  • 2 tablespoons rice wine vinegar
  • 1½ teaspoon red pepper flakes
  • 1 bunch green onions, chopped 
  • ¾ cup chopped cilantro
  • 1 red bell pepper, sliced thin
  • ¼ head of red cabbage, thinly sliced
  • 3 whole carrots, shredded with vegetable peeler
  • 2 cups shelled edamame, steamed
  • ½ cup toasted sesame seeds
Optional ingredients for extra flavor
  • one lime, juiced
  • 1 jalapeño, finely chopped
  • peanut butter!
 
Instructions
 
Cook soba noodles according to directions, and rinse in a colander.
 
Chop up all your vegetables, and toss into a bowl with the soba noodles.
 
In a small bowl, whisk together the tamari, sesame oil, canola oil, rice wine vinegar and red pepper flakes.
 
Pour the dressing into the pasta and veggies and toss well to combine.