Health nut : warm sesame and noodle salad

Cold weather doesn’t need to equal high fat, stodgy food. This recipe offers the perfect balance freshness, comfort (and a little bite), all while utilising ingredients that are easy to find. Add a prawn or two or just go vegan. So let’s get cosy and healthy this new year without compromising on taste.

Ingredients :

Dressing

• 2 tablespoons natural peanut butter

• 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil

• 2 tablespoons soy sauce

• 1 tablespoon brown sugar

• Juice of 1 lime

• Kosher salt, to taste

Salad

• 4 ounces gluten-free pasta

• ½ head of iceberg lettuce, thinly sliced

• 1 cucumber—peeled, halved and thinly sliced 

• 1 bunch fresh cilantro, roughly chopped 

• ¼ cup roasted unsalted peanuts, roughly chopped

• 1 lime, quartered

• 1 or 2 Prawns

Recipe

1. Bring a large saucepan of water to a boil. Add the gluten-free pasta and cook according to package directions until al dente. Strain and set aside. 

2. Make the Dressing: Using a blender or food processor, blend the peanut butter, sesame oil, soy sauce, brown sugar, lime juice and ¼ cup cold water. Season to taste with kosher salt. Set aside.

3. Assemble the Salad: In a large bowl, toss together the lettuce and cucumber. Top with the cooked noodles, then add the dressing and toss again. Transfer to a serving plate garnish with the cilantro, peanuts and lime wedges.

About the author

Emma studied food and nutrition before focusing on furniture and design history at university in Manchester.

With over 20 years in senior product design and communications roles, she has ghostwritten for publications including The Times, Business Insider and The Financial Times.

In 2024, she and her husband, Craig, founded Maison d'Aquitaine to provide sustainably made kitchens for traditional French homes. They have lived in France with their children since 2011.

Emma is a vegetarian at home and a pescetarian in French restaurants! In her spare time, she works with the Dordogne-based animal charity, Phoenix Association.