Meatless Monday with Chinese noodles with Sesame Dressing

It’s Meatless Monday again and you were thinking about ordering vegetarian dishes from your favorite Chinese food restaurant. Doesn’t sound like a bad plan until you think about what goes into those dishes – the oil, fat, sodium, and preservatives they tend to use is not appealing. It would be nice if you could avoid all that and still enjoy some delicious Chinese cuisine, right? Well you can with this fast and easy recipe for Chinese noodles with sesame dressing. This delectable dish comes by way of the Martha Stewart Kitchens over at Everyday Food.

Ingredients
• 1 package (8 ounces) thin Chinese noodles
• 1/4 cup fresh lime juice
• 2 tablespoons soy sauce
• 1 teaspoon toasted sesame oil
• 2 teaspoons light-brown sugar
• 1/8 to 1/4 teaspoon crushed red pepper
• 3 tablespoons chopped fresh cilantro
• Coarse salt and freshly ground pepper

Directions
In a large pot of boiling water, cook noodles according to package instructions. Drain; rinse under cold water until completely cool. Set aside.
In a large bowl, combine lime juice, soy sauce, sesame oil, sugar, red pepper, and cilantro. Add noodles; toss to combine. Season with salt and ground pepper, and serve.

This recipe makes six portions, but can be easily adjusted. Leftovers make for a great packed lunch so be sure to make extra, as everyone will be clamoring for some on Tuesday.  These Chinese noodles with sesame dressing are tangy, fresh and contain a perfect balance of Asian flavors. The dressing is not your typical sesame dressing; it is really a vinaigrette made with sesame oil, so it is refreshing, and has very bright flavors. Chinese noodles with sesame dressing can be served with your favorite steamed vegetables, bean sprouts and maybe even some green tea to make it a complete meal. This Chinese food comes fresh to your table with you knowing everything that is in it and that it is a healthy alternative. Breakout the chopsticks and enjoy!