Sunday, September 20, 2009

Cold Sesame Noodles with Chicken and Cucumbers


You know, I've always considered myself a dinner person. Many times my breakfasts and lunch were just whatever I could pull out of the fridge, and often eaten standing up! But just in the last few weeks, I've come to really appreciate lunch as a meal that can be downright therapeutic.

I feed my kids first, get their needs met, and I may even put them down for a nap, so the house is quiet. Then I take my time, selecting my ingredients, chopping veggies, preparing my Diet Coke, on ice, with lime, and then I sit. I gather my thoughts, savor the tastes, listen to music and completely indulge in the sanctity of my meal. It's become one of my favorite parts of the day, something that I hope continues for a long time.

I loved these noodles for lunch. The weather here has still been fairly warm, so they were the perfect, refreshing break that I was looking for. I liked mine with a good amount of sweetness, which I didn't get in my sauce. But a little drizzle of honey right on the noodles made them just right. Happy lunching!

Cold Sesame Noodles with Chicken and Cucumbers
Found in Cooking Light September 2009 edition

Ingredients

8 oz uncooked dried Udon noodles
1/4 cup rice vinegar
2 TB dark sesame oil
2 TB low sodium soy sauce
1 TB honey
2 teaspoons sambal oelek or chile paste with garlic
1/2 teaspoon bottled fresh ginger
2 cups shredded rotisserie chicken breast
2 medium cucumbers, halved lengthwise and sliced
6 TB chopped green onions
3 TB chopped dry roasted peanuts
chopped cilantro

Directions


1. Cook noodles according to package directions, omitting salt and fat. Drain and rinse under cold water; drain.

2. Combine rice vinegar and the next five ingredients (through ginger) in a large bowl, and stir with a whisk. Add noodles, chicken, and cucumbers to bowl; toss gently to coat. Top with green onions and peanuts.

Serves 6: 1 cup noodle mixture

Per Serving: 301cal, 9.2g fat, 21.5g prot, 3.1g fiber, 40mg chol, 2.3mg iron

Points Per Serving: 6

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

wow, they look absolutely refreshing and delicious! I love that you used sambal olek here. what a great play of flavors!

theUngourmet said...

I love my noodles this way. These sound zippy and yummy!

It's good that you give yourself some quiet time and a Diet Coke with lime too! ;0)

Jenn said...

This would be great on a warm sunny day. Heck, think this would be great any day. Delicious!!

Coleens Recipes said...

I love your description of re-discovering the pleasure of a mid-day meal. I don't know WHEN I started ignoring the mid-day meal, but I need to start following your lead. I usually skip or snack and then by 3 o'clock I'm famished and grumpy. Thank you!!

GarlicBOSS said...

Looks great with the cucumbers...thanks

Shelby said...

I actually made a recipe from the same issue this morning! This was a great CL issue. I also am looking at this recipe but am thinking of subbing tofu for the chicken! Glad to know you enjoyed this!

♥peachkins♥ said...

I've never had cucumbers in my noodles before...hmmnn.. i wanna try this out..

Judy said...

Thanks for finding a great recipe. I could eat this every week.

Kim said...

I could easily eat this every day for a week or more and be happy:D I laughed about preparing the diet coke! I also have a diet soda with my lunch OR if I'm really luck I nice glass of sweet tea!! This is a great recipe.

Palidor said...

Mmmm, delicious noodles! Glad you are enjoying lunch time!

Debbie said...

Looks like a wonderful lunch! So fresh!

Anonymous said...

I saw that and put it on my list of things to make - now I am going to!

Hope you had a good weekend!

Katherine Roberts Aucoin said...

I would enjoy this sitting outside, curled up with a good book. Wonderful lunch and you deserve to spoil yourself whenever you can!

Julie said...

Good for you finding time for yourself...gotta do it to keep your sanity!
The noodles look yummy. They're making me hungry!

Katy ~ said...

Yummm... this recipe reminds me soooo much of a lunch my mother would make for herself. Absolutely delicious. Thanks for the nice food memory and terrific recipe.

Pam said...

Yum, yum, yum. This looks really tasty.

jor said...

Love the picture :)

Erica said...

YUM! I just love a cold pasta salad. Love the addition of the notes. I be its heavenly!

Wish we could've met up this weekend!!

Reeni said...

What a great habit to get into! These sound delicious! I like that their cold - I bet the flavor improves with age.

Alissa said...

That was such a relaxing post to read! I've never thought of lunch as a'sit down' meal myself...sitting down sounds heavenly! I'll have to slow down more & start enjoying my lunches! Love the picture! Looks awesome! What a yummy lunch, I'll have to try this soon. mmmmm!

joy said...

nice blog

Leslie said...

what a lovely fresh noodle dish!

Lynn said...

All your recipes are looking so good! This, and the beef/blue cheese salad, and the Oreo things. I'm drooling here :)