Meatless Monday: Radish and Sesame Soy Noodles

Make healthy radish-soy noodles for Meatless Monday.
By: Mallory Stuchin
Radish and Sesame Soy Noodles

Meatless Monday is a global movement, a way of lifeEating less meat has been proven to reduce the risk of disease, curb obesity and has important environmental impacts, too. Will you join us in giving up meat, just for one day a week?

While slow cookers may seem like the only option for getting a good meal on the table by dinnertime, there is another, equally outstanding, route. And it's silly simple: Just make your meal ahead.

Chinese food expert Ching-He Huang's boldly flavored Radish and Sesame Noodles are meant to be served chilled. In fact, Huang even specifies that the noodles' flavors will be better the day after they're made. Prep these the night before (or morning of) the day you plan on enjoying them, then simply come home to dinner.

INGREDIENTS
SESAME SOY DRESSING:
3 tablespoons light soy sauce

3 tablespoons black rice vinegar (recommended: Chinkiang) or balsamic vinegar

3 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
NOODLE SALAD:

7 ounces cooked whole wheat noodles or cooked brown rice, drizzled with groundnut oil

7 ounces red radish, washed and quartered
1/2 cucumber, halved lengthwise, seeded and diced
1 small handful black sesame or toasted sesame seeds
Fresh cilantro sprigs, for garnish
SOY AND VINEGAR DIPPING SAUCE (OPTIONAL):
1 medium red chile, seeded and finely chopped
3 tablespoons light soy sauce
3 tablespoons black rice vinegar (recommended) or balsamic vinegar
2 tablespoons toasted sesame oil
1 teaspoon thinly sliced strips fresh ginger, cut 5-inches in length
Fresh cilantro sprigs, chopped, as needed
FIERY SOY AND CHILE DIPPING SAUCE (OPTIONAL):
3 tablespoon fiery chile sauce
3 tablespoon light soy sauce
Directions
For the dressing:

Combine the soy sauce, rice vinegar and sesame oil in a bowl.

For the salad:

Prepare the noodles, radishes, and cucumber, and chill them in the refrigerator for at least 1 hour.

To serve, add the noodles to a large dish, layer them with some radish and cucumber pieces and scatter over the black sesame seeds. Spoon the dressing over the dish, garnish with some fresh cilantro sprigs and serve immediately at the table to share. You could also dish up individual portions.

Try two other dressings to enhance this dish.

Combine the chiles, soy sauce, rice vinegar, sesame oil, ginger, and chopped cilantro in a small bowl.

Combine the hot chile sauce and soy sauce in a small bowl.

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