Green Goddess Noodle Salad

Serves: 4

Info

This noodle salad is the perfect way to pack in your greens. And it's quick and easy!

300g Broccoli florets or purple-sprouting broccoli, asparagus or green beans

1 Medium green cabbage or pak choi, leaves finely shredded

1 Medium fennel bulb, finely sliced

1 Cucumber, halved lengthways, seeds scooped out and flesh chopped

4 Spring onions, finely sliced

1 Large ripe avocado, sliced

2 Handfuls of fresh greens (such as watercress, baby spinach, sliced lettuce or leftover cooked kale)

1 Small handful of nuts (such as cashew nuts, peanuts or almonds) or seeds (such as Biona Organic Sunflower Seeds, sesame or poppy seeds)

4 Large handfuls of fresh herbs (such as coriander, mint or basil, or a mixture) roughly chopped

1-2 Fresh red chillies (optional)

For the Dressing
Grated zest and juice of 2 limes or 1 lemon

2 tbsp Toasted sesame oil

1 Garlic clove, grated

4cm Piece of fresh root ginger (unpeeled if organic) finely grated

A Pinch of cayenne pepper or chilli flakes (optional)

Sea salt and black pepper

Cook the buckwheat noodles in a large pan of boiling water according to the packet instructions (about 7 mins). Use two forks to tease the noodles apart during the first minute of cooking.
When they are tender, drain and rinse under cold water for 15 seconds. Drain again and then toss in the olive oil in a large serving bowl to stop the noodles sticking together. Set aside.
Using the same pan, after a quick rinse, steam the broccoli (or other vegetable), covered with a lid, in 4 tbsp of boiling water for 4 minutes until tender.
Whisk all the dressing ingredients together in a bowl or shake in a jam jar with the lid on. Season to taste with salt and pepper, then drain.
Add the raw veg (pak choi/cabbage, fennel, cucumber, spring onions and avocado) to the noodles with the greens and steamed broccoli. Pour over the dressing and mix everything together.
Top with the nuts or seeds, toasted in a dry pan for a minute if you like, and the fresh herbs and chilli.