Oodles of Noodles
Teriyaki Noodles with Chicken and Asian Slaw
(Family Features) - Many Americans love Asian-inspired food but don't know how to make it at home. With Asian style noodles in the pantry it's easy to create restaurant-quality meals right at home and at a fraction of the cost of going out.
It's all about knowing your noodles. Noodles are an essential part of Asian cooking and the base for many dishes.
Chow Mein is the name for a stir-fried dish made with noodles, sauce, vegetables and a protein such as meat or tofu. Classic, Chinese-style Chow Mein noodles are generally soft and wheat based, though they can be fried and crispy.
Soba is a thin Japanese noodle made from buckwheat and wheat flour. Soba is a versatile noodle and used for making hot or cold dishes. In Tokyo, it is commonly served in hot broth as a noodle soup. Throughout Japan, soba is a popular and inexpensive fast food, although it's also found at exclusive restaurants.
Pad Thai is a dish from Thailand that is made with flat rice noodles. It is often stir fried with eggs and topped with bean sprouts, shrimp, chicken, or crushed peanuts. The dish is believed to have been brought to Thailand by Vietnamese traders.
Mai Fun is a very fine, thin, Chinese rice noodle, sometimes called rice vermicelli. Popular in Southeast Asia and in the restaurants of Singapore and Taiwan, they're similar to bean threads, only longer and made with rice flour. These delicate, almost transparent noodles are found in wraps, soups and salads.
Using Asian style noodles to create a main dish salad is a quick and delicious way to serve a healthful meal in one bowl that is packed with flavor and nutrition.
Teriyaki Noodles with Chicken and Asian Slaw
Ingredients
- 1 12-ounce box Annie Chun's Chow Mein Noodles, cooked
- 4 tablespoons sesame oil
- 2 cups grilled fully cooked chicken breast, thinly sliced
- 2 cups finely shredded Nappa or Red cabbage or romaine lettuce (or combination)
- 1 large apple, cored and thinly sliced
- 2 scallions, thinly sliced
- 4 tablespoons toasted sesame seeds
- 4 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- 1/2 cup almond slices or glazed walnuts
- 1 lemon, sliced into wedges
Salad Dressing
- 1/2 cup soy sauce (low sodium)
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 tablespoon rice wine vinegar
- 1 tablespoon vegetable or canola oil
- 1clove garlic, minced
- 2 tablespoons grated fresh ginger
OR, for extra easy preparation use
- 1/2 cup Annie Chun's bottled Teriyaki Sauce
Preparation
- Cook noodles according to package directions and drain well. In a large bowl, toss noodles with sesame oil.
- In a small bowl, whisk dressing ingredients together and set aside.
- Add all ingredients except cilantro, nuts and lemon. Add dressing and toss well to distribute. Top with cilantro, nuts and squeezes of lemon juice.
Notes, Tips & Suggestions
Tips:
* Squeeze a little lemon juice on the apple after slicing to prevent discoloration and add a little zing.
* Brush some of the prepared teriyaki sauce on the chicken at the last few minutes of grilling to give it a nice gloss and intensify the flavor.
* Visit AnnieChun.com for more easy Asian noodle recipes and ideas.
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