The holidays were filled with good food and fun, but I think I overdosed on sugar this year. Ree’s cookie week, turned into cookie month for me. I couldn’t stop baking and eating cookies. I think I am finally sugared out and ready to cook up some healthy recipes. First up, Last Minute Sesame Noodles from Tasty Kitchen member Aggie, who blogs at Aggie’s Kitchen. This whole grain noodle dish is filled with fresh vegetables and is super easy to make. If you are looking for a healthy recipe to jump start the new year, it is your lucky day! Let’s get started.

To make this noodle dish, you will need: soba noodles (or whole wheat spaghetti), soy sauce, sesame oil, canola oil, rice vinegar, red pepper flakes, green onions, cilantro, red pepper, red cabbage, carrots, edamame, and sesame seeds. 

Begin by cooking the noodles, according to package instructions. 

Carefully drain the pasta noodles. 

Rinse noodles under cold water and set aside. 

Chop up the colorful vegetables. 

To make the dressing, combine soy sauce, oils, rice vinegar, crushed red pepper, green onions, and cilantro in a large bowl. 

Whisk dressing ingredients together, until well combined. 

Add noodles and vegetables to the dressing. 

Gently toss until noodles and vegetables are well coated. Add sesame seeds. 

Serve cold and enjoy! 

If healthy eating is on your New Year’s resolution list, you have to try this recipe. It is nutritious and delicious. Feel free to add in whatever veggies you have in the fridge. I love that this recipe is so versatile. This noodle dish makes a great weeknight meal and the leftovers are perfect for a light lunch. Start the new year off right with Last Minute Sesame Noodles. I know I will be making this healthy recipe all year long.

Thanks, Aggie, for this wonderful dish. Visit her blog, Aggie’s Kitchen, for more of her recipes!

Printable Recipe

Last Minute Sesame Noodles

by Aggie's Kitchen on July 28, 2010 in Main Courses, Pasta July 28, 2010 Main CoursesPasta

See post on Aggie's Kitchen’s site!

5.00 Mitt(s) 4 Rating(s)

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: 10 mins

Difficulty: Easy

Servings: 6

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Just boil water, and then use it all up! Raid your fridge and throw it in! These noodles are very versatile.

Ingredients

• 1 pound Spaghetti, Whole Wheat Spaghetti, Soba Noodles, Quinoa Pasta
• ½ cups Reduced Sodium Soy Sauce
• 2 Tablespoons Sesame Oil
• 2 Tablespoons Canola Oil
• 2 Tablespoons Rice Wine Vinegar
• 1-½ teaspoon Red Pepper Flakes
• 1 bunch Green Onions, Sliced, Divided
• ¼ cups Cilantro, Chopped
• 1 whole Red Pepper, Sliced Thin
• ¼ heads Red Cabbage, Sliced Thin
• 2 whole Carrots, Shredded With Vegetable Peeler
• 1-½ cup Shelled Edamame, Cooked
• ½ cups Toasted Sesame Seeds

Preparation Instructions

Cook pasta according to directions. Drain, rinse under cold water.

To make dressing, whisk soy sauce, sesame oil, canola oil, vinegar, crushed red pepper, scallions, and cilantro in a large bowl. Add noodles and vegetables, toss to coat. Top with sesame seeds.

 
 
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Maria and her husband Josh (who she affectionately refers to as her “dough boy”) blog at Two Peas and Their Pod. They’ve been featured on Saveur, Eatocracy, Gourmet Live, Glamour, and the Los Angeles Times, to name just a few. We’re so glad to have them here!

 
Pretty, isn’t it? Think: Mediterranean version of the classic (and sometimes overdone) Mexican 7-layer dip. On the bottom there’s a fantastic cilantro-pecan pesto, then a generous dose of hummus, and a sprinkling of diced vegetables, feta cheese, and toasted pine nuts.

We recently became homeowners and threw a little housewarming party last weekend. I thought this dip would be a perfect addition to an appetizer spread. Oh, it was. There were compliments all over the place.

Can I just tell you how thankful I am to have this dip in my life? Just in time for the Super Bowl, too.

Who do we have to thank for this easy, drool-worthy Layered Mediterranean Dip? Tasty Kitchen member campgrandma, that’s who.

I can’t wait to relive this. Let’s get started!

I doubled the recipe, so these photos show larger quantities than the recipe calls for. Just so ya know.

First we’ll start on the pesto. You’ll need some chopped fresh cilantro, chopped pecans, pine nuts, grated Parmesan cheese, chopped fresh garlic and some extra-virgin olive oil.

I know there are a few out there who despise cilantro. First, my condolences. Second, you could probably substitute a mixture of fresh parsley and mint to complement the Greek/Mediterranean flavors.

Pull out your food processor and throw in the cilantro.

Then the garlic.

Then a small amount of the olive oil.

Give that a quick buzz until a paste forms. Scrape down the sides, too.

Add the pecans.

And the pine nuts.

And the cheese.

Buzz that up as well, stopping to scrape down the sides again.

Then turn on the food processor and add the remaining olive oil down the chute.

I added a pinch of salt. Your mixture should be pretty runny by now.

Like this. Pour it into a bowl, and set it aside while you prep the vegetables. You can do this step ahead and keep the pesto covered and chilled for five days or frozen for one month.

Dice the onion, cucumber, and tomatoes. Crumble the feta, if needed. You may notice that there are olives missing. We don’t like olives—especially kalamata olives. (Return the condolences, if desired.) So I added something else in their place.

Chopped peperoncini peppers. We love these. And they add a little kick to the dip, which we liked.

Now the fun part! Grab a very shallow serving dish or platter. Spread the pesto on the dish in an even layer. I didn’t want it to get buried (it’s so pretty!), so I brought it within an inch or so of the edge of the platter.

Next, carefully spread the hummus in an even layer over the pesto. Depending on the hummus you use, it might be quite a bit thicker than the pesto.

Time to sprinkle! I don’t think the order really matters, just get those cucumbers, onion, tomatoes, and feta sprinkled evenly. Oh, and the olives and/or peperoncini peppers, if you’re so inclined. I also added a drizzle of olive oil, just for kicks.

I added some extra grape tomatoes, a sprig or two of cilantro and some toasted pine nuts as additional garnishes. We served these with pita chips, carrots, cucumbers, and red bell pepper slices. And we all lived happily ever after.

Thank you Beth for a great addition to our appetizer menu! Visit her blog, Grandma B’s Kitchen, for more of her recipes.

Printable Recipe

Cilantro-Pecan Pesto Layered Mediterranean Dip

by campgrandma on February 9, 2010 in Appetizers, Cold Dips February 9, 2010 AppetizersCold Dips

See post on campgrandma’s site!

4.66 Mitt(s) 3 Rating(s)

Prep Time: 15 mins

Cook Time: -

Difficulty: Easy

Servings: 12

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If you love cilantro and fresh ingredients, this is the dip for you! It’s easy to adjust to your liking.

Ingredients

• FOR THE PESTO:
• 1-½ cup Fresh Cilantro Leaves
• 2 cloves Garlic, Chopped
• ⅓ cups Olive Oil, Divided
• 2 Tablespoons Pecans, Chopped
• 2 Tablespoons Pine Nuts
• ¼ cups Shredded Parmesan Cheese
• FOR THE REMAINING LAYERS:
• 2 cups Hummus, Any Flavor (I Like To Use Roasted Red Pepper)
• ½ cups Baby Cucumber, Chopped
• ½ cups Red Onion, Chopped
• ½ cups Kalamata Olives, Chopped
• ½ cups Grape Tomatoes, Chopped
• FOR GARNISH:
• Pita Chips
• Feta Cheese
• Roasted Pine Nuts
• Cilantro

Preparation Instructions

For the pesto:

Process cilantro, garlic and 2 tablespoons olive oil in a food processor until a rough paste forms. Add pecans, pine nuts and cheese, and process until blended, stopping to scrape down the sides of the bowl. With the processor running, pour the remaining oil through the food chute in a slow, steady stream; process until smooth.

Pesto can be chilled for up to 5 days or frozen for up to 1 month, if desired. Yields 3/4 cup.

For assembling the layered dip:

Spread pesto on a platter. Layer the remaining ingredients on top of the pesto in the order listed. Top with the garnish ingredients.

Serve with pita chips.

 
 
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Be sure to check out Natalie’s own beautiful food blog, Perrys’ Plate, where you can see her growing collection of lovely recipes. There’s always something new to see there. Go visit now!

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