Thai Pasta Salad
Here’s a potluck show-stopper that can be prepared ahead of time. No one will know how healthy it is until you tell them!
Ingredients
1 lb brown rice, spelt, or kamut pasta, any shape
½ cup sesame oil
¼ cup olive or grapeseed oil
2 tsp red pepper flakes
6 tbsp unpasteurized honey (~1/3 cup)
5 tbsp tamari (natural wheat-free soy sauce)
grated fresh ginger, sea salt, and pepper to taste
Cook pasta al dente, rinsing well. Mix ingredients and let marinate overnight or 3-4 hours in the fridge.
The next day add –
¼ cup green onions
1 carrot, julienned
¼ cup snowpeas
½ cup other vegetables, like red peppers, broccoli or baby bok choy (steamed and cooled if necessary)
½ cup fresh cilantro or parsley
2 tbsp sesame seeds
½ cup cashews or organic peanuts, chopped
Refrigerate until ready to serve. Add cooked shrimp or chicken for more protein if desired. Great for pot lucks or family functions.
Adapted from Lee Royer.
Nutritional Value of Select Ingredients
Brown Rice Pasta – Rich in complex carbohydrates, good quality proteins, yet low in fat and calories, brown rice pasta is a great substitute to traditional pasta. Brown rice can help regulate bowel function, glucose metabolism, prevent bowel cancer, and lower cholesterol.
Ginger – This spice is an excellent remedy for nausea, morning sickness, upset stomach, indigestion, vomiting, motion sickness, and cramps. It helps to lower blood pressure, reduce fever, prevent internal blood clots, etc, etc, etc. Very medicinal, yet tasty!
Carrots – Carrots are one of the best sources of beta carotene, which balances the immune system and reduces the risk of many cancers. They also guard against cardiovascular disease, reduce inflammation, slow the aging process, and are great for digestion disorders. Contain fibre, calcium, iron, and many other vitamins and minerals.
Onions – Because they are high in sulfur, onions help lower cholesterol, inhibit cancerous tumor growth, help manage diabetes, and are an anti-inflammatory, antibacterial, and antifungal food that are also a blood tonic. Eat them daily – raw or cooked.
Sesame Seeds – By weight, sesame seeds are higher than liver in iron. They are also high in calcium, magnesium, protein, fibre, other vitamins and minerals, and EFA’s.
