GREEN GODDESS NOODLE BOWL WITH GINGER MISO DRESSING

This makes for such a delicious lunch. It can be eaten warm or cold, is full of green veg, buckwheat noodles and a tasty immune boosting ginger laced dressing. Plus it can be vegetarian, vegan or filled with whatever choice of protein you’re into. Versatile, easy food that works just as well for lunch, dinner and easy to whip up for a crowd. The dressing soaks in and amps up the flavour. The different steps can all be done the night before if you’re having it for lunch; just layer in your lunch container and put it in the fridge ready to whip out the next day.     Serves 4

Ingredients
250g buckwheat noodles

Dressing
2 Tbs tamari
1 tsp sesame oil
1 Tbs freshly grated ginger
2 Tbs rice wine vinegar
1 tsp miso paste

2 x bok choy
3 cups English spinach, finely shredded
2 tsp lime juice
1 Tbs white sesame seeds, toasted
2 cups snow peas
2/3 cup podded edamame (if frozen, cover pods in boiling water and let stand for a few minutes)
2/3 cup spring onion, finely sliced
1 cup coriander leaves
1 avocado, finely sliced
1 cup finely sliced cucumber rounds, cut in half
1/2 tsp black sesame seeds (or more of white!)
1 tsp rice wine vinegar extra
1/2 tsp tamari extra
1 cup bean shoots
4 boiled eggs cooked to your liking (alternatively hot smoked salmon, grilled/roasted chicken etc)

1. Dressing –  Combine 2 Tabs each of tamari & rice wine vinegar. 1 tsp each of sesame oil, miso paste.  1 Tab freshly grated ginger.

2.Toast seeds, prepare vegies. Cook soba noodles by packet instructions. Make sure you cool under cold running water after cooking, then immediately toss with 3 Tabs of the above dressing.

3.Separate bok choy leaves, clean well then slice lengthways into 1cm strips. Steam over boiling water for 5 minutes, or until softened. Toss with the remaining dressing.

4.Dress spinach with the lime juice and toss with the box choy, spring onion and toasted white sesame seeds. Set aside.

5.Combine sliced cucumber with black sesame seeds, 1/2 tsp tamari and 1 tsp rice wine vinegar. Set aside.

Trim snow peas then steam over rapidly boiling water for 3 minutes, or until they brighten in colour.

Slice eggs in half.

Assemble salad: In each bowl place 1/4 of the noodles. Follow with 1/4 of the bok choy/spinach mixture, 1/4 of the snow peas, 1/4 of the edamame, 1/4 of the cucumber,  1/4 of the coriander leaves, 1/4 of the avocado, 1 egg and the bean shoots. Basically put everything you’ve prepared into bowls!

VERMICELLI NOODLE SALAD

This makes a delicious dinner in warm weather & an easy lunch. You can make it the day ahead and take it to work. It’s seriously simple to make.  Serves 4

Ingredients
100g rice vermicelli noodles
2 cups shredded cabbage
1 chilli, finely sliced
2 carrots (spiralized or shredded)
1.5 cups snow peas, finely sliced
3 spring onions, finely sliced
1 inch piece of ginger grated
1 Tab sesame seeds, toasted
1 Tab sunflower seeds, toasted
2 Tab almonds or peanuts, toasted
1 tsp soy sauce
1/2 tsp fish sauce
1/2 tsp sesame oil
Juice of half a lime (slice the cheeks off to serve with and squeeze the juice from the centre bit)
1/2 tsp Chinese cooking wine or sake
1 cup coriander leaves
1/2 cup mint leaves, finely sliced
1 cup sliced cucumber (halved first)
1 cup bean shoots
Optional: 2 cups shredded cooked chicken (I used left over poached chicken from this salad recipe)

1.  Soak noodles in hot water as per directions on the pan. Drain and cool under cold water.
Toast various seeds and nuts and shred carrots and cabbage. Prepare other vegies & herbs.

2.  Dressing – combine ginger, lime juice, soy sauce, cooking wine, fish sauce and sesame oil.

3.  Mix cabbage, snow peas, carrots, chilli – all but 1 Tab spring onions – noodles, chicken (if using) and the dressing together until well combined. Then toss through the toasted nuts.

4.  Serve and top each portion with 1/4 of the cucumber, bean shoots and coriander. Enjoy!