Summer Dreams Salad
Our temps are really warming up
and they have me dreaming of my favorite summer foods
I can’t wait for fresh corn, ripe red tomatoes
and the bounty of summer produce
to arrive in the markets and stores
I love to eat salad for dinner on warm days and this one is a favorite
This Asian Pasta Salad with Creamy Coconut Dressing
was created from elements of
The Pioneer Woman’s Asian Noodle Salad
and Carlsbad Craving’s Asian Peanut Coconut Dressing
I adjusted the recipes to suit our tastes,
eliminating a little of this and subbing a little of that-
Add chicken or shrimp if desired, or eliminate the pasta…
An easy way to cook the pasta
is to put it in a pan of boiling salted water,
cover the pan and immediately turn burner off
The pasta will cook through but not overcook,
and it will hold until you’re ready to continue
The base of this “finger licking good” dressing
is Greek coconut yogurt and creamy peanut butter
Put the peanut butter in a pint jar
and microwave for 30-60 seconds,
until peanut butter begins to melt
Then add the rest of ingredients
Shake, shake, shake,
and then give it a few stirs for good measure
Drain the hot pasta and immediately toss it with dressing to coat
Mix well
Top with remaining ingredients
Toss to combine, taste and add more dressing if desired
Serve with additional peanuts and dressing on the side
Refrigerate leftover salad to enjoy again,
it will stay good for 1-2 days
ASIAN PASTA SALAD WITH CREAMY COCONUT DRESSING
Ingredients
Salad
- 4 oz thin spaghetti
- 2 handfuls,or 40 fresh snow peas, trimmed and cut into small pieces
- 1/3 English cucumber sliced and cut into half moons
- 2 large handfuls fresh bean sprouts
- 1 cup thinly sliced carrot discs carrot shreds or grated carrots
- 6 green onions chopped
- 4 cups mixed salad greens like baby kale, spinach, romaine, torn into bite size pieces
- 2 oz salted peanuts
Creamy Coconut Dressing
- 1 container 5.3 oz. Greek coconut yogurt, like Chobani
- 1/3 cup smooth peanut butter
- 2 T sweet Asian chili sauce
- 1 T fresh lime juice
- 1 T brown sugar
- 2 T soy sauce
- 3 T rice vinegar
- 1/2 tsp minced garlic
- 1/4 tsp ginger paste optional
- 3 T milk
Instructions
Salad
- Fill a 3 qt sauce pan half way with water and add 1 T salt. Bring to boil and add spaghetti. Cover and turn burner off, but leave pan on burner while preparing the rest of the salad. Pasta will cook gently as burner cools down
- Rinse snow peas and microwave 1-2 minutes until just crisp tender. Cut in half.
- Drain pasta. Pour 3-4 heaping Tablespoons of dressing over warm pasta and toss to coat.
- Add salad greens, cucumber, snow peas, green onions, carrots, and peanuts. Toss to combine. Add more dressing if desired. Serve salad with additional dressing and peanuts on the side.
Creamy Coconut Dressing
- Place peanut butter in a pint jar and microwave for 1-2 minutes until it begins to melt. Add remaining ingredients and shake well. Stir with a spoon until smooth. Refrigerate until serving and stir again before adding to salad. Makes about 1 1/4 cups. Keep in refrigerator for up to a week.
Notes
Are you dreaming of Summer yet?
I will be joining these fabulous parties and blogs:
Sundays on Silverado/ Love Your Creativity
What’s for Dinner/ Between Naps on the Porch
All About Home/ Common Ground & Follow the Yellow Brick Home
Turn About Tuesday / Our Tiny Nest / Karin’s Cottage Linky Party
Creative Crafts / Crafty Creators
Comments
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I could drink that peanut sauce 🙂
I agree 😂
Only you can put a painting of a tomato on your blog and make me want one for lunch.
haha, thank you Carole!
That sounds like a small salad. What is the serving size? Maybe serves 2? Also, if making for a family of 4 would you double the dressing too?
It makes 3-4 average size servings, and the dressing makes about 2 cups, so adjust as necessary to suit your needs.
Jenna, what a flavor-filled salad. I could probably eat the dressing just on pasta and be happy. I am going to try this recipe. Happy Sunday 💛
Oh good, thank you Pam, I hope you enjoy it!
It does make me dream of summer!
Thank you Dorothy!
That’s a nice combo of flavors. I think Rick would enjoy that one, too.
Thank you Jeanie, have a great week!
I don’t think we need to wait for summer to devour this salad. Bring it on!
Thanks Linda, it’s good any time!
The painting of the ripe red tomato is artfully done! And the recipe looks delectable!
Thank you Mary, I hope you’re having a relaxing Sunday!
Looks mighty tasty! YUM! Happy Week dear Jena. Hugs and blessings, Cindy
Thank you Cindy, Happy Monday!
This looks so delicious! I can’t wait to try it! Thanks for sharing the recipe!
Thanks Joansy, I hope you enjoy!
Jenna, this looks delicious! My kids love Asian food, and I can see them loving this salad. We will definitely be trying this. Thanks so much for sharing! Have a wonderful week!
Thank you Shannon, the dressing is really good!
This is a yummy recipe! That dressing with the pasta… Yum!
Thanks Nancy!
Oh my word Jenna, that dressing sounds heavenly!! I need to go get some yogurt to try it! You know me and my salads! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you Kitty, I think you’ll love it!
This looks so tasty, I would love to try 🙂
Thanks Claire Justine!
You’re fearless in the kitchen Jenna! Your noodle salad reminds me of one we love, minus the coconut. 🙂
Thanks Mary, the dressing really makes it!
This sounds and looks like a wonderful recipe. I love the pic with the sprouts and peanuts on the top of everything. Noodle dishes with peanuts are a meal I always enjoy.
Thank you Judee, I love this salad!
This salad looks so good. I’ll have to give it a try.
Thank you Christy, I hope you love it!
Looks delicious Jenna. Noodles dishes are a favorite, this is a different version in which I haven’t tried.
Thanks Linda, this is a wonderful combo of flavors!
Yummm this looks sooo refreshing! I love these cold noodle salads and I can’t wait to try your recipe! Just pinned it! Thank you for sharing at my weekly link party!
Thank you Nicolle, it’s one of my favorites!