Recipe: Vegetarian Edamame Noodle Salad
Pasta alternatives are all the rage. There’s a good reason for it! Depending on what the nutrition label says, of course. Pastas or noodles that are made from beans or legumes have a higher percentage of protein and fiber. Pair with colorful vegetables (and a fruit!) and you’ve got an amazing, delicious Plate Method meal.
Finding your plates to be a solid one color? In need of some of color-inspiration? We’ve got you with this recipe, backed with science. Check out the tip below to switch up the color spectrum!
Ingredients
- 1 package edamame noodles (we used Explore Organic Edamame + Mung Bean Fettuccine)
- 1 C shredded carrots
- 1 C sliced grape tomatoes
- 1 C cubed apple (we used golden delicious)
- 1/2 C shredded purple cabbage
- 1/2 C chopped cilantro
- 1/2 C peanut butter
- 1/2 C rice vinegar
- 1/4 C olive oil
- 2 Tbs honey
- 1 Tbs sriracha sauce
- 1 Tbsp grated fresh ginger
- sliced avocado
- sesame seeds
Directions
- To prepare noodles, bring water to a boil – follow instruction on box. If using Explore’s Mung Bean + Edamame fettuccine: bring pot of water to a boil, add noodles and cook for 5-7 minutes with reduced heat. Strain.
- To prepare sauce, whisk together peanut butter, honey, olive oil, vinegar, and sriracha sauce.
- Drizzle noodles with sauce.
- Toss grape tomatoes, apple, cilantro, cabbage, and sauce with cooked noodles. (If wanting to plate as shown in photo, layer ingredients in sections atop dressed noodles in bowl)
- Top with cilantro leaves sesame seeds, and sliced avocado.
- Serve warm or cold!
Our advice… EAT THE RAINBOW! We can’t say or emphasize it enough. Why? Every different color holds different nutritional value. Whether it’s vitamins, minerals, or phytonutrients – color reflects chemistry that visually explains nutrient diversity. When we eat the rainbow, we supply our bodies with a variety of nutrition that supports metabolism and health.
To add, colorful ingredients will taste different. If you’re ever bored with your plate, find a color you haven’t had in a while! Getting out of a food jag, or repetitive meals, can help kick health progress plateaus.
Recipe adapted from Good Housekeeping.