Dinner Idea for New Years Eve – Healthy Thai Food

I think most of us feel a little sluggish after the holidays, and could use a break from rich, heavy food. Instead of ordering greasy Chinese food or pizza on New Year’s Eve try my version of healthy Thai food instead! This fresh Thai Shrimp Noodle Salad has all the great flavours of Thai food, but incorporates loads of fresh, raw vegetables, whole grain noodles and protein-rich shrimp. I thought this would make a great New Year’s Eve dinner idea for a small group. You can prep all the ingredients ahead of time, and than assemble the salads when you’re ready to eat.

Thai Shrimp Noodle Salad
Serves 2 as a main or 4 as a side

Ingredients
Dressing:
4 tbsp extra virgin olive oil
2 tbsp organic tamari (gluten-free soy sauce)
1 tsp fish sauce
1 tsp hot sauce
1 ½ tbsp honey
3 tbsp lime juice or juice from 1 lime

Salad:
2 tbsp grapeseed oil
1 tsp red pepper flakes
1 clove garlic, minced
½ package pre-cooked & peeled shrimp
4 cups shredded greens (romaine, kale, mixed greens, or baby spinach)*
1 cup sugar snap peas, halved
½ cup thinly sliced bell peppers
2 bundles soba noodles
½ avocado, diced

Garnish
½ cup chopped cilantro
¼ cup crushed dry roasted, unsalted peanuts
salt and fresh ground pepper

Method

For the dressing: in a medium bowl, whisk together 4 tbsp oil, soy sauce, fish sauce, hot sauce, honey, and lime juice.

Chop veggies & garnish ingredients.

Cook soba noodles according to package instructions. Drain, rinse & set aside.

Heat 2 tbsp oil in a large skillet over medium-low heat. Add the pepper flakes, garlic & shrimp, season with salt and pepper and cook on one side for 2 minutes. Flip and cook another minute or until shrimp have curled, indicating they are done (cook longer if using raw shrimp).

Add cooked noodles to the shrimp and stir to incorporate all the great garlicky flavour into the noodles.

Build your salad:

Divide the greens in the bottom of two salad bowls. Then add the snow peas, peppers, noodles & shrimp, avocado, cilantro, and crushed peanuts.

Whisk your dressing one last time and then drizzle it over the salads. Season with salt & pepper. Toss & enjoy!

*Greens are optional – you may find they get a little soggy. If that’s the case, just include the raw, chopped veggies; the salad still tastes great!

Happy New Year!