Vietnamese Noodle Bowl

In order to use up a good amount of the CSA veggies we have before our next pick up tomorrow and to use up some of the grilled chicken we had leftover from our wedding reception (don't worry, we froze it after the party) the husband and I decided to make Vietnamese Noodle Salads. Easy to make, tastes fresh and healthy and you can use whatever veggies you have on hand.

Vietnamese Noodle Salad

Serves 2

Veggies

1 1/2 cups shredded greens (we used a mixture of garden lettuce, spinach and basil. In my opinion fresh basil is a key ingredient)
1 mini cucumber sliced into strips
1 large carrot sliced into strips
6-10 snap peas sliced
5-6 radishes sliced into strips
*This salad usually has bean sprouts in it as well but I didn't have any and the key was to use what was already on hand

Dressing

2 tbsp lime juice
2 tbsp soy sauce
2 tbsp fish sauce
2 tbsp sugar
2 tbsp Sriracha sauce
4 tbsp water

Noodles
Rice noodles (we used half the package of Annie Chun's Pad Thai Noodles)

Garnish
2 tbsp peanuts, chopped (I had some and forgot to add them)

For the noodles, boil as directed. Drain, rinse under cold water. Add to the bottom of a salad bowl.

Prepare all the veggies and add to the top of the noodles. Drizzle on the dressing as desired. Top with chopped peanuts.

*You can also add steak, pork, chicken, tofu etc.

Caprese Salad

I found a basket of mixed cherry tomatoes at Whole Foods.  I have been craving tomato salad lately so I picked up a basket.  This salad is usually made with fresh mozzarella but I had some fresh feta at home already so I decided to use that as well.  I also used some blueberry balsamic we picked up at the Stillwater Olive Oil Company instead of the standard balsamic but whatever you have on hand works!  This salad is super simple and is an excellent meal on its own, but I had it as a side to the sirloin steak my husband grilled for us.

Caprese Salad

1 basket of cherry tomatoes (I used mixed tomatoes)
half a ball of fresh mozzarella or 1/2 a container of feta
fresh basil, chopped
drizzle of balsamic dressing
drizzle of olive oil
salt and pepper to taste

Mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl. If you have time you can half the tomatoes, put them in a strainer that is positioned over a bowl, sprinkle with salt and let them release some of their water. (I did not have time to do this when I made the salad so it was a bit watery)

I Think I Am Ready To Start Again

We started getting our CSA box two weeks ago and am in need of some motivation to use the contents. I am planning on using this blog to document what I make and to hopefully gain some new ideas. On top of the CSA we have a list of restaurants around Minneapolis and St. Paul that we are trying to eat at before the end of the year. Along with the restaurant list we also have a list of fun things to do around the cities as well.

Hello There!

There are many things that I love, but I really love food and beer. And coffee. I really love trying new food either at restaurants or cooking at home. I hope to use this blog to keep track of restaurants, recipes, beer, wine etc. I love going out to fancy restaurants, trying different cuisines and experimenting with food, but I am not above chowing down on some Chipotle or the like either. I am not one of those people that will document every single item I eat every day, I mean, how many pictures of Starbucks cups does one blog really need? This is a work in progress but I welcome you to come along for the ride :)