Asian Linguini Salad and other stuff...

I wish I had something really interesting or witty to say this morning.  I would love to dazzle you with my witty prose; but, I am afraid that I have nothing much to say.  You know what I mean, right?  Some days, you just have nothing.  Today is one of those days.  I have nothing except this food that I need to share with you.  I'm pretty much going to let it speak for itself.

I have been wanting to make these dishes for awhile and I have finally gotten around to it.  I'm not sure what has happened to me and this blog over the last few months.  I guess life has a way of intervening.   That's okay though because life is good and we are enjoying our new home in New Hampshire....even with the occasional heat wave.   So when the temperatures start rising outside, I start craving salads.   The Asian Linguini Salad worked perfectly for that.

I let it sit in the fridge for 24 hours before we ate it and the only complaint that I had about it was that I wish that the linguini noodles had soaked in more of the sauce flavor.  Please don't misunderstand me.  The sauce was amazing and it tasted delicious on the noodles.   This Louisiana girl just likes really bold flavors and I would have liked to have tasted more of the sauce because it was so good.

I, also, like things spicy.  This salad was not spicy at all on its own and if I hadn't served it with some seriously spicy chicken, I would have added some heat to the sauce with some Sriracha or crushed red pepper.   Since the chicken was so spicy, the salad was the perfect cool compliment to it.   I will have to tell you about the chicken in another post.  It is definitely worthy to stand on its own.  

So without further delay, I will share the salad recipe that I got from Cat Can Cook with you.  I am sharing my very slightly adapted version of this recipe.  I encourage you to go over and visit Cat and see her original version along with all of the other wonderful recipes that she has featured there.  This isn't the first recipe that I've made of hers.  

Remember the banana muffins that I featured here?  

Seriously... Cat CAN Cook!

Thank you, Mary, for introducing me to Cat!

 

Asian Linguini Salad

Adapted slightly from Cat Can Cook

 

16 oz. whole grain linguini, cooked

1/4 cup soy sauce

1 TBSP brown sugar

2 TBSP honey

Squeeze of lime juice

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 TBSP rice vinegar

1 tsp sesame oil

1/3 cup cilantro, chopped

(*more for garnish)

1/2 cup cashew nuts, chopped

(*more for garnish)

1/2 cup snow peas or sugar snap peas, chopped

1 red pepper, diced

1/2 cup carrot, grated

3 or 4 green onions, chopped

In a large bowl combine soy sauce, sugar, honey and lime juice, vinegar, sesame oil and garlic.  Whisk well.  Mix in the cooked noodles and toss to coat. Stir in all vegetables and cashews. Chill for several hours or overnight. Just before serving, top with extra chopped cashews and chopped cilantro.

I, also, got the opportunity to try my hand at making some Spicy Crab Rolls and California-ish rolls using Soy Paper to go along with this meal.  They were a little messy!

I won't be joining the staff of a Japanese restaurant any time soon; but I didn't think they were too bad for my first time.

And as you can see, the family loved them....

And dessert was a hit, as well....

Cherry Cornmeal Upside Down Cake

It wasn't nearly as pretty as Joanne's cake.  See for yourself and get the recipe here.

But it was absolutely amazing...

Please make this cake.

Do it. 

Your family will thank you.

This post is being linked up with Hearth & Soul Hop,  
 Tasty Tuesday,  Tuesdays at the Table, 
and  Make a Food-"e" Friend.

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I hope you have a wonderful day!