Mix and match noodle salads

Combine ingredients and flavours to make a quick and delicious meal.

Step 1: Pick your noodles

Choose one (to serve 4)

• 250g rice stick noodles
• 270g dried soba noodles
• 280g dried Chinese egg noodles

Cook noodles following packet directions. Drain and run under cold water. Add a few drops of oil and toss to spread through and prevent noodles sticking together.

Step 2: Pick your vegies

Choose one

Rainbow slaw mix

Serves 4

• 2 cups shredded red cabbage
• 2 cups shredded white cabbage
• 2 carrots, grated
• 2 red or green capsicums, finely sliced

Combine all vegetables together.

Crunchy colourful mix

Serves 4

• 2 stalks celery, sliced
• 2 carrots, sliced in matchsticks
• 2 red or yellow capsicums, sliced
• 2 cups snow peas, sliced

Combine all vegetables together.

Cool salad mix

Serves 4

• 1 cup shelled edamame beans
• 4 cups shredded iceberg lettuce
• 1 cucumber, julienned or sliced in thin ribbons
• 2 courgettes, julienned or sliced in ribbons
• 1 cup fresh mint, roughly chopped

Cook and cool edamame beans. Combine all vegetables together.

Green mix

Serves 4

• 2 cups chopped spinach
• 2 cups sliced green beans
• 2 cups chopped broccoli (including stalks)
• 1/2 cup green peas
• 2 spring onions, green part only, sliced

Combine vegetables together. If preferred, blanch beans and broccoli briefly in boiling water or microwave for 1 minute. Cool.

Step 3: Pick your protein

Choose one

500g chicken breast

Slice chicken breast finely. Heat a pan or wok over a high heat and spray with oil. Cook chicken breast for 2-3 minutes, until browned and cooked through.

300g salmon fillet

Cut salmon in 2cm chunks. Heat a pan or wok over a high heat and spray with oil. Cook salmon chunks for 1-2 minutes, turning, until browned but not cooked all the way through.

300g firm tofu

Drain tofu. Cut in 2cm chunks. Heat a pan or wok over a medium heat and spray with oil. Cook tofu, turning, until golden brown.

500g lean beef steak

Slice beef in thin strips. Heat a pan or wok over a high heat and spray with oil. Cook beef (in batches if needed), tossing well, for 1-2 minutes until browned but still medium-rare.

Step 4: Select your dressing

Choose one (to serve 4)

Sesame dressing

• 1/3 cup unhulled tahini
• 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
• 2 tablespoons salt-reduced soy sauce
• 2 tablespoons mirin
• 1/3 cup warm water

Combine tahini, sesame oil, soy sauce and mirin in a jug. Mix with a fork. Add warm water gradually and mix well, until desired consistency is reached.

Lemon dressing

• 1/2 cup lemon juice
• 1 lemon, zest
• 2 tablespoons lemon avocado oil
• 1 1/2 tablespoons liquid honey
• 2 teaspoons grated fresh ginger
• 1/4 cup water

Combine all ingredients together in a jug and mix well with a fork.

Spicy hoisin dressing

• 2 tablespoons hoisin sauce
• 2 tablespoons salt-reduced soy sauce
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2-3 tablespoons hot water
• 1 teaspoon hot chilli sauce (optional)

Combine all ingredients together in a jug and mix well with a fork.

Thai dressing

• 1/4 cup fish sauce
• 1/4 cup water
• 1/4 cup lime juice
• 1/2 teaspoon chilli flakes
• 1 teaspoon white sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon sesame oil
• 1 teaspoon grated fresh ginger

Combine all ingredients together in a jug and mix well with a fork.

Step 5: Make your salad

Now put it all together!

Step 1 Prepare your chosen noodles. While noodles are cooking, prepare chosen vegetable mix.

Step 2 Once noodles are cooked and cooled, toss noodles and vegetables together in a large bowl.

Step 3 Cook your chosen protein. Divide salad among plates or bowls and top with protein and garnish as desired.

Salad garnishes

Add any of these to salads for texture and taste:

• fried shallots
• chopped peanuts
• finely sliced chillies
• chopped fresh coriander
• chopped fresh mint
• chopped fresh basil
• sliced spring onions
• thinly sliced fresh ginger
• shredded nori sheets
• wasabi
• shredded kaffir lime leaves

Recipe ideas

Here are some examples of salads made from the above mix and match components.

Thai salmon noodle salad
Lemon chicken noodle salad
Sesame ginger tofu noodle salad
Hoisin beef noodle salad