Vegan
Green beans, cashews, mint, carrot, cucumber, and lime shine through the pearly noodles in this pretty, uplifting dish. The noodles will seem undercooked at first, but they will soften as they absorb the marinade and the moisture from the other ingredients. If you cook them all the way, the finished dish will be mushy.
• Rice noodles of various thickness can be purchased inexpensively in most Asian-themed grocery stores, some supermarkets, and online. Use medium-thin ones for this recipe.
• You can freeze the unused coconut milk in an ice cube tray, then transfer the cubes to a heavy plastic zip-style bag for making this (or something else) in the future. Don't forget to label the bag.
• This tastes best within a few hours of being assembled, so plan accordingly.
• Make sure the cucumber is sweet.
Don't discard any leftover coconut-graced cooking liquid. Instead, make it into a cook's snack by adding tiny touches of lime juice, sugar, salt, and garlic, and a torn basil leaf. Sip happily while finishing the recipe.
Recipe information
Yield
Makes 3 or 4 modest main-dish servings
Ingredients
Preparation
Step 1
1. Combine the lime juice, garlic, agave or sugar, and salt in a large bowl and whisk to blend. Keep whisking as you drizzle in the oil until it is completely incorporated; set aside.
Step 2
2. Place a colander on a plate next to the stove and have a pair of tongs or a spider skimmer handy.
Step 3
3. Combine the coconut milk and water in a medium saucepan and bring to a boil. Add the noodles and cook for exactly 3 minutes (best to use a timer). Use the skimmer or tongs to lift them out (leaving the pot on the heat) and transfer them to the colander. (They will be noticeably al dente.) Shake the colander over the plate to drain and dry the noodles, then transfer them directly to the marinade in the bowl. Turn and lift with tongs and/or a fork to get them coated.
Step 4
4. Return the colander to the plate (emptied of any water) near the stove. Add the green beans to the simmering water-coconut milk mixture. Cook them for about 5 minutes, or until just tender. Use the skimmer or tongs to lift them into the colander to drain. You can save the coconut broth to make a little soup snack for yourself.
Step 5
5. Add the green beans (it's OK if they're still hot) along with the Pickled Red Onions to the noodle mixture, mixing gently until combined. (Use a fork to grab the onions, leaving their liquid behind.)
Step 6
6. Let the salad cool to room temperature, then add the cucumber and carrot. Cover and chill until serving time; the optimal marinating-chilling time is about 2 hours.
Step 7
7. Stir in the mango, mint, and most of the cashews shortly before serving. Serve topped with the remaining cashews and any combination of the Enhancements.
Optional Enhancements
Step 8
Minced jalapeño scattered through * Touch of lime zest mixed in to give it more zing * Lime wedges * Toasted unsweetened coconut on top * Minced fresh basil (regular or Thai) and/or cilantro on top * Chili paste or Sriracha on the side
Recipe notes
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