Happy Memorial Day! Ryan and I are looking forward to spending time with friends and family today, and I hope you are too! I woke up early this morning to make a dozen tiny pies for a mid-day cookout. And even thought I still feel great at 37 weeks pregnant, I’m realizing that baking will likely take a back seat over the next few months. Not only will I have a little baby to take care of, but we also live in a house without air-conditioning. I can bake if I wake up early, but it’s just not good if I turn on my oven after 10am.
And so, this will be the first of hopefully many posts that feature light and healthy dinner and lunch recipes.
These sesame noodles are flavorful and easy to prepare. Instead of bringing the traditional potato salad to a cookout, we’ve been bringing these cold Asian noodles. Crisp and bright vegetables are lightly coated in a peanut-sesame sauce. Whole grain pasta adds filling fiber. We added edamame beans for protein, but a roasted and shredded chicken would be equally as delicious.
And did I mention that this is best served cold? Perfect for the sweltering summer days ahead (especially if you don’t have air conditioning). This recipe makes a good deal of noodles, so if you aren’t bringing the bowl to a party, you’ll have a light summer lunch for at least a few days.
Before I go, I thought I’d share how Ryan and I are doing on tackling THE LIST. We’ve dined out with friends twice. We’ve hosted a lovely party at our house. We’ve spent time with our siblings and our parents. I finished Lucy’s baby book on Thursday, and I’m almost finished with the Marriage Plot. And writing? Yes, it’s been happening everyday. So although we still have a ways to go before our list is complete, we’re making good progress!
Light Sesame Noodles
1 14 oz package whole grain spaghetti noodles
1 large head of brocolli, chopped into bite sized pieces
1-2 red bell peppers, chopped into bite sized pieces
1 cup edamame beans, thawed
1/3 cup creamy peanut butter
2 tablespoons soy sauce
2 tablespoons honey
2 tablespoons rice vinegar
1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil
2-4 tablespoons sesame seeds
5-6 chives, diced
Make Sauce: In a small bowl, whisk together peanut butter, soy sauce, rice vinegar, honey, and toasted sesame oil. Set aside.
Boil noodles until al dente, about 8 minutes. Meanwhile, steam broccoli and red bell pepper. The vegetables should remain bright and crisp. Drain noodles. Place noodles, steamed vegetables and edamame beans in a large bowl. Pour sauce over and mix thoroughly. Top with sesame seeds and diced chives. Allow to chill in refrigerator for at least one hour before serving.
These noodles look amazing, Monet! So light, refreshing and perfect for spring with all those beautiful veggies. Have a happy Memorial Day, darlin’!
Perfect thing to bring to a cookout, I agree! I love sesame noodles and you’ve reminded me to make some asap. Thanks, Monet!
Hi,
Very nice and easy recipe… I see that you use whole grain pasta. Since I discovered to be pregnant (I just entered the second trimester) and I have read a lot of things about food to eat I have become a big fan och whole grain pasta and bread. I have made a fantastic whole grain bread that eat every day at breakfast and I will post soon on my blog.
Ciao.
LOVE this! As we get into hot weather (and we’re definitely getting into it here), cold-but-filling dishes are taking a front seat. Love the whole grains AND veggies 😉
Glad to hear you guys are tacking the list with aplomb! Have a great Memorial Day, Monet 🙂
Happy Memorial Day! I do not have air condition in my small apartment but there’s no need for it in Berlin. I can bake whenever I want. But I’m excited for all the light and healthy recipes that are coming. Your noodles are a great start.
Meals like this are my favorites for the summer. I like to make big batches so that I don’t have to worry about what to have for dinner on the nights I have school. And I’m in the same boat as you with the lack of a/c. My oven does not go on during the summertime.
I LOVE Sesame Noodles like this but have only ever had it in a restaurant! YAY for finding a recipe and pictures that are gorgeous. We grew up in a house without AC and it does wear on you, especially with the new baby-to-be. Congrats on THE LIST progress!!!!
Hooray for delicious cold summer food! We definitely need to get on the noodle train ASAP. 🙂
Monet,
I love the idea of the light sesame noodle leftovers for lunch.
Reason enough to make the dish.
I hope that you have ceiling fans, they would help.
I’ve been craving cold noodle salads since the weather started to get warmer, they are so perfect for lunches (or anytime)! And I absolutely love anything with a peanut sauce so I know I would love this!
Happy Memorial Day to you to and these noodles look so healthful and tasty! Hope you had an enjoyable weekend!
These noodles look deliciously perfect for a summertime picnic! So glad you’re doing well. 🙂
You are doing a lot of stuff before the baby comes, good for you:)
I think this is a nice break from all the baking and love that it can be eaten cold. God knows, we need cold stuff in SC once we are half way through June!
I think you are going to run out of time to bake Monet. Your little one will keep you on your toes 🙂 This salad looks awesome. Thanks for the veggie love!
I love how light and healthy this is. Love the peanut dressing, delicious!
Monet, this is certainly a wonderful alternative to potato and other salads and my kids love to eat Asian style noodle salads, so this looks very much like another recipe that I should tackle shortly! I left you a note on FB regarding your delicious Raspberry Cream Cookies that I baked on Sunday! Love all your recipes, Monet, now, get some well-deserved rest my friend!
I can’t imagine baking without an A/C in the summer so yes…lots of cold sesame noodles are in order! Sounds like a great meal!
What a lovely dish! I am addicted to sesame noodles. It is pretty terrible, I love that you lightened this up. Maybe I won’t feel so bad about eating them 2 times in one day 😉
I gladly choose a cold noodle salad over the other calorie-laden dishes of summer. I’m so happy to see lunch and dinner recipes from you. I know we have similar tastes and could use more in my arsenal. Way to knock out some of that list! Happy Tuesday!
Noodles look amazing, I have heard of cold sesame noodles, just haven’t tried them yet. This looks so good. Can’t wait. Hope you get AC soon, but I know lots of folks in CA don’t have AC in their homes, that’s just how they are built.
Dear Monet, I am happy that you are feeling energetic and up to these many tasks that are on your list.
You sound so bright and happy and that is wonderful.
This salad is a delicious treat to bring to any party. I am sure everyone loved it.
Please find time to rest and sit back and dream.
Blessings dearest. Catherine xo
Monet-this is so my kind of meal…such a beautiful bowl of wonderfully flavored noodles with veggies;-) Enjoy your week 😉
I’m really impressed at how productive and busy you keep yourself at 37 weeks Monet! A beautiful and nutritious dish – full of “feel good” ingredients!
Sesame noodles sound delicious my friend, I can imagine trying to stop at one plate!
Cheers
CCU
I’ve been craving sesame noodles! Love that you added extra goodies to yours. YUM! We’re definitely getting into weather where this is a perfect lunch or dinner! Check out your pretty chopsticks, too!
Sesame noodles served cold sounds divine. The rains started yesterday so the heat is over here and I can bake again. I know how it is to live without air conditioning, it’s a challenge!
A delicious bowl of noodles! Noodles are so comforting, no matter when is the season! It is always hot here, with temp as high as 35C, and days like this, I try not to turn on the oven!
Great to know that everything is going as planned, you must be pretty excited as each day draws near to holding Lucy in your arms!
Take care!
Love sesame noodles!
I love noodle salad! Lately I’ve been making noodles for salad, main, and I still don’t get bored. Maybe I’ve been too busy to cook something more complicated than noodles.. 🙂 I need to try this peanut butter and soy sauce combo soon. Looks delicious!
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I am so glad I stopped by before I went home tonight, I was planning on making a stirfry and I have everything apart from peanut butter so I’m going to pick some up and make this when I get home! I am so excited it looks delicious!
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