Friday, June 11, 2010

Asian Style Noodles with Spring Vegetables and Pineapple Dressing

Summer is off to a flying start.  Lots to do. Tonight we went to my daughter's school play.  I think I had tears in the corner of my eyes the whole time.  It always moves me to see the kids having fun and getting into what they are doing.  They are all so cute in those moments; focused on their roles, having fun and doing their very best.  The play is called, "It's A Jungle Out There".  It's about the lion finding out that happiness can be found through the friendship.  Lots of jungle animals and safari people. My daughter was a bird.  A toucan more specifically. We had a lot of fun putting the costume together.  So many times I wanted to take over painting the beek.  Partly perfectionism and partly my need to create.  I didn't.  I controlled myself.  She did it all.  I think she did a great job.
And speaking of friendship I was able to connect with a friend from high school over the weekend.  I haven't seen her in about 25 years or so.  I was so excited.  So much time has passed but I was still very comfortable with her and it really felt good to make that connection.  Cheers girl, you look great!

I served this cold noodle dish for dinner.  It was refreshing and light.  Really a great meal for a hot summer night.

Asian Style Noodles with Spring Vegetables
greatly adapted from this recipe at Bon Apetit

16 ounces sugar snap peas, strings removed
1 8- to 9-ounce package Korean style noodles
2 grilled chicken breast halves, cut into thin strips
6 green onions, thinly sliced
1 cup pineapple dressing(recipe below)
1 cup roasted red peppers, chopped

Cook noodles.  While noodles are cooking, steam or boil the sugar snap peas. Immerse in cold water.  Once cooled remove strings.  Place all the ingredients in a bowl.  Flavors have time to develop if left overnight.  Before serving add a little more dressing to the mix to freshen it up.

Pineapple Dressing
adapted from this recipe

3/4 cup canola oil
1/2 cup pineapple preserves*
1 tablepoon finely grated ginger
5 tablespoons unseasoned rice vinegar
2 large garlic cloves, peeled
1 1/2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 1/2 tablespoons sesame oil
1 teaspoon Dijon mustard
1 teaspoon dried crushed red pepper

Whisk together pineapple preserves, ginger, rice vinegar, soy sauce, sesame oil, dijon and red pepper together.  While whisking slowly drizzle in the canola oil.

*Remember those pineapple preserves?  I put them to good use in this salad.  Why?  because my coveted mango chutney that the recipe calls for went bad. Shame on me (bowing head).  At the risk of sounding boastful, it was a great substitute.

14 comments:

kat said...

OMG your daughter's costume is just precious!

ann low said...

Nice noodle with Pineapple dressing.
Your daughter is so cute ;D

Taste of Beirut said...

It is so heartwarming to reconnect with an old school chum; I have now old friends coming out of the woodwork (since I signed up with facebook) Love it!
and your daughter looks so cute in her costume; I applaud your self-control! I did the same with my kids, hands off approach , and my son has been self-supportive since the age of 16;
your dish sounds yummy I would love to taste that pineapple sauce you made it sounds very good!

LittleRed said...

Oh this looks perfect for summer:)

Ingrid_3Bs said...

Your sweey girl looks beautiful! She did a great job.

Btw, I struggle to restarin myself,too! :)
~ingrid

Katy ~ said...

Truly a more lovely bird does not exist, hugs.

Yummy salad. Love to see these lighter recipes for the hot days ahead. Thank you for sharing!

grace said...

like the bowl, love the costume, am OBSESSED WITH the dressing. great post, lori!

Anonymous said...

What a unique dressing! I'm usually not crazy about pineapple in any form other than plain and raw, but I'd definitely give this a try. Sounds promising!

vanillasugarblog said...

i am all over this dressing. love it. (sorry i've been mia--summer has all my time lately).

PJ said...

pineapple dressing is so unique! i am sure it must have tasted great with the asian noodles.

Fresh Local and Best said...

This looks like a great summer recipe for the warmer days. Although, it hasn't been very warm lately has it? It's just so magical to reconnect with old friends. You instantly think of where you were in life, where you are now, and how you got there.

shaz said...

Your daughter looks absolutely delightful and what a great job she did on the painting. Good on you for holding back - I often have to restrain myself that way, but the kids feel so proud of themselves when they finish and it's all worth it.

Great looking salad for the warm weather, I like the sound of pineapple in there.

Mimi said...

Your little sweetie looks incredible, love the costume! Cana't wait to try the pineapple auce.
Mimi

Unknown said...

Have you ever seen somebody lick the chutney spoon in an Indian Restaurant and put it back? This would never have happened under the Tories.